Star midfielder Kholosa Biyana has wished the Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana well ahead of their international friendly match against the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup co-hosts, Australia on Saturday, 8 October 2022.
That match will take place at the Kingsmeadow Stadium in London, the home of Chelsea Women’s FC, at 13h30 (South African time).
Biyana, who was not called up for national team duty as she is still without a club, was a special guest at this year’s FNB Football First Festival Under-15 tournament which took place at the Nike Football Training Center in Soweto.
She says it is crucial that the team some level improvement after the loss to Brazil in two friendly last month.
The clash against the Matildas is part of continuing preparations for the FIFA Women’s World Cup that will be held in Australia and New Zealand.
“One thing about the Banyana Banyana squad is that there is always that ambition to improve and show growth from our previous experiences or matches, be it a win or a loss,” said Biyana, who was part of the Banyana Banyana squad that won the country’s first ever Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco in July this year.
“We played two friendly matches against Brazil, and I want to believe the whole squad took pointers from that outing. This friendly fixture against Australia is another opportunity to apply what we’ve learned, and I would like to wish the rest of the squad the very best of luck in this one.”
Biyana also applauded FNB for channeling their resources in a girl and boy child’s football development, adding that such a commitment will go a long way in helping the country to unearth undiscovered football in all corners of South Africa.
“We didn’t have such opportunities when I was growing up,” Biyana recalled. “I had to play with boys from as early as 8 years old and I was lucky enough to have parents and siblings who supported my dream. What FNB is doing with this program is extremely brilliant as young girls, and boys, now have a chance to be scouted early and be put in proper structures to chase both their schooling and football dreams simultaneously.”
