2022 TotalEnergies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations champions, the Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana will host Brazil in two friendly matches next month.
The first clash will be take place at Orlando Stadium on Friday, 2 September 2022 at Orlando Stadium with an 18h00 kickoff, while the venue for the second fixture is yet to be confirmed – but the date has been set for Monday, 5 September.
The two encounters are part of Banyana Banyana’s preparations for next year’s FIFA World Cup which will be held in Australia and New Zealand.
The clash will between two continental champions – African and South American.
A month ago (23 July 2022) Banyana Banyana won the TotalEnergies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations after defeating hosts Morocco 2-1 in the final, while Brazil also brushed aside hosts Colombia 1-0 to be crowned champions of CONMEBOL last month (31 July 2022).
This was their eighth Copa America Femenina.
“This is amazing! You know, immediately after the WAFCON last month, the South African Football Association (SAFA) said they would give us the best possible preparation for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. What more could we ask for? A powerhouse, not just in women’s football but also in men’s football,” Banyana Banyana head coach Desiree Ellis told www.safa.net
“Brazil are the champions of Copa America, a powerhouse. What a way to start preparing for the World Cup, what a way to start off our campaign. We want to say thank you to SAFA and we want to say thank you to SASOL. They have always been true to their word and we look forward to playing Brazil and whatever is to come after.”
This will be the second clash between the two nations – the first ended in a goaless stalemate at the 2016 Rio Olympics (Tuesday, 9 August 2016).
The South Africans had put up a brave fight in their last group stages match at a packed Amazonia Arena in Manaus under the tutelage of former coach Vera Pauw, while Ellis was the assistant coach.
Nozipho Mbatha, SASOL Senior Manager: Group Brand and Sponsorship, wished the team well for their encounter against the South Americans.
“We know our African Champions will represent the country with pride. They have demonstrated their hunger and resilience in the past few months, and we are confident they will continue to display the same demeanour that says ‘nothing is impossible’. We implore the team to have fun while showing off their talent on the field like the champs they are.”
Both South Africa and Brazil have qualified for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
This is how Banyana Banyana lined up in that match back in 2016:
Roxanne Barker (GK), Leandra Smeda, Nothando Vilakazi, Noko Matlou, Janine van Wyk (c), Mamello Makhabane, Stephanie Malherbe, Linda Motlhalo (Sanah Mollo), Jermaine Seoposenwe, Refiloe Jane, Thembi Kgatlana (Amanda Dlamini)
Subs:
Andile Dlamini (GK), Nompumelelo Nyandeni, Bambanani Mbane, Sanah Mollo, Robyn Moodaly, Amanda Dlamini, Lebogang Ramalepe
From the above squad, Matlou, Van Wyk, Motlhalo, Seoposenwe, Jane, Kgatlana, Andile Dlamini, Mbane, Moodaly and Ramalepe were part of the 2022 WAFCON winning team.
By Matlhomola Morake
