The Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana are bracing themselves for a hectic year as they are about to continue with the preparations for the upcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup to be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand from 20 July to 20 August 2023.
The South Africans are in Group G alongside Sweden, Argentina and Italy and will be based in Hamilton, New Zealand.
They will be joined at the tournament by three other African representatives, Zambia, Morocco and Nigeria.
Last year Desiree Ellis’ charges played three international friendly matches, going down 3-0 and 6-0 to Brazil, as well as 4-1 to Australia.
Their World Cup preparations will continue in earnest with the likelihood of a friendly match next month.
That will be followed by the annual Cyprus Women’s Cup, which runs from 13 – 23 February this year – the European tournament makes its return since 2020 as it was postponed in 2021 and 2022 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
This will be South Africa’s eighth appearance where teams are invited to participate.
Banyana Banyana first played at the event in 2009, and were last present there in 2019 as they were preparing for their maiden FIFA Women’s World Cup in France in the same year.
Their best showing was in 2009 and 2018, finishing in sixth place of the 12-nation tournament.
The last FIFA date before the World Cup will be in April (3-11) and the African champions are making plans to play their farewell match before heading to Australia and New Zealand.
“2023 is a very big year for Banyana Banyana, we know that the World Cup is happening in July, so our first assignment will be the Cyprus Cup, but we will also have a pre-camp prior to that tournament. In April we are looking at having two opponents of the same calibre as our opponents at the World Cup to help us prepare thoroughly,” said Banyana Banyana head coach Desiree Ellis.
The South African Football Association (SAFA) is pulling all stops to ensure that Banyana Banyana get adequate preparations and has roped in more assistance for Ellis and her technical team.
“As part of our support going into the women’s World Cup, we know that the stakes are a bit higher, so from the Association, and we will make an announcement bit later and this is in consultation with the coach, we will be appointing a technical advisor who is a woman, who is South African, and will be part of the team. Also, there will be a second assistant, who is also a South African and a woman joining the team,” said SAFA Technical Director Walter Steenbok.
The two individuals who will be appointed have extensive knowledge of women’s football and are expected add immensely to the technical team that is currently led by Ellis and her first assistant Thinasonke Mbuli.
In another welcome development, the Association has confirmed that there is now equal renumeration for Banyana Banyana and Bafana Bafana – with both getting the same amount of win bonuses and daily allowances.
Banyana Banyana at the Cyprus Cup:
2008 – Did not enter
2009 – 6th
2010 – 8th
2011 – Did not enter
2012 – 12th
2013 – 11th
2014 – Did not enter
2015 – 10th
2016 – Did not enter
2017 – Did not enter
2018 – 6th
2019 – 10th
2020 – Did not enter
2021 – Tournament Postponed due to Covid-19
2022 – Tournament Postponed due to Covid-19
2023 -??
BANYANA BANYANA WORLD CUP GROUP STAGES FIXTURES:
South Africa vs Sweden
Sunday, 23 July 2023
Wellington Regional Stadium
WELLINGTON/TE WANGANUI-A-TARA
New Zealand
17h00 local time (04h00 SA Time)
Argentina vs South Africa
Friday, 28 July 2023
Dunedin Stadium
DUNEDIN/OTEPOTI
New Zealand
12h00 local time (23h00 SA Time)
South Africa vs Italy
Wednesday, 2 August 2023
Wellington Regional Stadium
WELLINGTON/TE WANGANUI-A-TARA
New Zealand
19h00 local time (06h00 SA Time)
The FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 full match schedule is available for download
By Matlhomola Morake
