The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup preparations for the Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana will be taken to a higher level when they participate in the annual Turkish Women’s Cup that takes place next month (13-23 February 2023).
South Africa will face the hosts on the 15th of February, followed by a clash again Uzbekistan three days later (18 February) and round off the tournament when they lock horns with Venezuela (21 February).
The three oppositions will give Banyana Banyana a stern test and also an indication of how to tackle European teams (Turkey), Asian outfits (Uzbekistan) as well as South American sides (Venezuela).
USA-based striker, Thembi Kgatlana, will not be part of the squad as she is still undergoing rehabilitation following an injury she sustained at the 2022 CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco in July.
Zambia will take on Venezuela, Slovenia and Uzbekistan.
The tournament will come as a welcome relief for head coach Desiree Ellis after the reigning African Champions could not secure a spot at the Cyprus Women’s Cup, which South Africa has always used to get ready for the world football spectacle.
The last time they took part was in 2018 before the 2019 FIFA World Cup in France.
The other teams taking part in the tournament are Slovenia and COSAFA counterparts, Zambia.
“The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) confirmed that Bruce Mwape’s team will take part in the Turkish Women’s Cup that will be held from February 13-22 in Antalya. This will be Zambia’s first international engagement in 2023 ahead of their debut appearance at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup that Australia and New Zealand will co-host from July 20 to August 20,” read a statement from the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ).
Nigeria took part and won this competition in 2021, beating Uzbekistan in the final, while Venezuela finished second to Ukraine last year.
With Banyana Banyana drawn in Group G in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup against Sweden, Italy and Argentina, the Turkish Women’s Cup will go a long way in helping Ellis and her charges to be in tip-top condition for the tournament.
Slovenia is the highest ranked nation in the world at the tournament at position 43, with Uzbekistan six spots adrift at 49. Venezuela is next on 52, followed by South Africa, placed 54th while Turkey and Zambia are 64thand 81st respectively.
It would have been a disaster for the Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana not to have such friendly matches ahead of the World Cup, as this is the best way for them to gauge their readiness – more so following three heavy successive defeats to Brazil, twice and Australia last year.
Success in Turkey will go a long way in helping them build their confidence for the FIFA Women’s World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand from 20 July to 20 August 2023.
The Turkish Women’s Cup (Turkish: Türkiye Kadınlar Kupası) is the annual cup competition of women’s football teams in Turkey. The tournament is also known as Alanya Gold City Cup, as the tournament is held at the Gold City in Alanya, Turkey.
It is played in late February or early March, at the same time as, among others, the following:
- Turkish Women’s Cup (Turkey)
Turkey, South Africa, Zambia, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Slovenia.
- SheBelievesCup (USA)
USA, Japan, Brazil, Canada
- Arnold Clark Cup (England)
England, Italy, Belgium, South Korea
- Pinatar Cup (Spain)
Iceland, Scotland, Wales, Phillipines
- Tournoi de France (France)
France, Denmark, Norway, Uruguay
- Revelations Cup (Mexico)
Mexico, Nigeria, Colombia, Costa Rica
- Cup of Nations (Australia)
Australia, Czech Republic, Jamaica, Spain
- Cyprus Cup (Cyprus)
Romania, Hungary, Croatia, Finland
By Matlhomola Morake
