The Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana have secured Costa Rica as they continue their final preparations for the upcoming 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, which will be staged in Australia and New Zealand between 20 July and 20 August.
South Africa will face the Central American nation on 15 July at the Nga Puna Wai Complex in Christchurch, New Zealand – five days before the start of the global women’s football showpiece.
Costa Rica is ranked 36th in the world and fourth in CONCACAF (The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football) behind world champions USA, Canada and Mexico respectively, while the queens of the African continent are 54th in the world, and second in CAF behind Nigeria.
Like Banyana Banyana, Le Sele (The Selection) will be making their second appearance at the World Cup – they last played there in 2015, while Desiree Ellis’ charges featured four years ago in France.
The Central Americans booked their ticket to Australia and New Zealand through the CONCACAF Women’s Championship held in Mexico – they finished fourth following a 1-0 loss to Jamaica after extra time in July last year.
“I am really excited to be playing against Costa Rica. This will be our last match before the World Cup starts. They qualified through a tough campaign in CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers. So another World Cup-bound team, we’re really looking forward to the match and to be able to just finally, cross our t’s and dot our i’s just before the World Cup starts,” Ellis told www.SAFA.net
Since securing World Cup qualification, Costa Rica has been quite busy, playing 11 matches to prepare for the global women’s football showpiece, where they faced the likes of Colombia, the Netherlands, Mexico, Nigeria and Scotland, among others.
The Central Americans won only one match (2-1 vs Philippines), drawing three and losing seven.
Banyana Banyana have been pitted against Sweden, Italy and South Americans, Argentina in Group H of the World Cup.
“The friendly match against Costa Rica is crucial in our preparations for this FIFA Women’s World Cup. We are aiming higher in this tournament, and the rehearsal against Costa Rica will give us an idea on one of our group opponents, Argentina,” SAFA CEO Lydia Monyepao was quoted by www.SAFA.net
This will be Banyana Banyana’s seventh match of preparations since winning the continental title in July last year.
“We wish the Banyana Banyana team the best of luck in their friendly match against Costa Rica, which we believe will give our team good practice just before they compete on the world stage,” said Nozipho Mbatha, Sasol Senior Manager: Group Brand and Sponsorship.
“We also call on all South Africans to continue to send their messages of support to Banyana Banyana via WhatsApp at 072 603 7325 or USSD by dialling *120*676#. Let us all remember that as South Africans, our support will give the team all the energy they require to push hard at all their upcoming matches, including this friendly match. And to Banyana Banyana, go live the impossible in Australia and New Zealand! Sasol is behind you all the way.”
In their six matches to get ready for the World Cup, South Africa tackled Brazil (x2); World Cup co-hosts Australia, as well as Uzbekistan, Slovenia and Serbia.
On both occasions against the South Americans, South Africa fell 0-3 and 0-6. They also went down 4-1 to the Aussies, then returned to winning ways in a 3-0 victory against Uzbekistan, shared the spoils with Slovenia but lost 3-2 to Serbia in their last encounter.
The clash against the South Africans is also important to Las Ticas (Costa Rica), who have been drawn in Group C against Spain, Japan and Zambia.
BANYANA BANYANA PREPARATORY RESULTS:
vs Brazil: 0-3
vs Brazil: 0-6
vs Australia: 1-4
vs Uzbekistan: 3-0
vs Slovenia: 1-1
vs Serbia: 2-3
COSTA RICA PREPARATORY RESULTS:
2022
| 7 October 2022 Friendly | Costa Rica | 1–1 | Philippines | Alajuela, Costa Rica |
| 11 October 2022 Friendly | Costa Rica | 2–1 | Philippines | San José, Costa Rica |
| 11 November 2022 Friendly | Netherlands | 4–0 | Costa Rica | Utrecht, Netherlands |
| 15 November 2022 Friendly | Portugal | 1–0 | Costa Rica |
2023
| 15 February 2023 2023 Women’s Revelations Cup | Costa Rica | 1–1 | Colombia | León, Mexico |
| 18 February 20232023 Women’s Revelations Cup | Mexico | 1–1 | Costa Rica | León, Mexico |
| 21 February 2023 2023 Women’s Revelations Cup | Costa Rica | 0–1 | Nigeria | León, Mexico |
| 6 April 2023 Friendly | Poland | 2–1 | Costa Rica |
By Matlhomola Morake
