Head coach of the Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana, Desiree Ellis, is expected, in the next few days, to announce her squad of players to face former World Champions USA in two friendly matches.
The African Champions will take on their American counterparts on 21 and 24 September in Cincinnati and Chicago respectively.
The South Africans will most likely have new faces from the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup squad following the absence of the injured influential duo of captain and midfielder Refiloe Jane and defender Bambanani Mbane.
Both players suffered the injuries at the global women’s football showpiece last month.
Jane’s last match was in Dunedin, New Zealand against Argentina in Banyana Banyana’s second fixture when she fell awkwardly in the first half and did not play any further part in the tournament – missing the last group stages clash against Italy and the Round of 16 match-up vs the Netherlands.
Mbane played every minute of the group stage encounters but could not finish the game second round game against Oranjevrouwen in Sydney, Australia as South Africa lost 2-0 and were knocked out of the competition after their historic ride in the World Cup.
The USA is looking to rebuild their national team after they unexpectedly crashed out of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in the Round of 16 – losing on penalties to Sweden. After winning four titles in total, this was the quickest exit for the Americans in all the eight editions of the World Cup.
It was also the first time they failed to reach the semi-finals, and only the second time they left a major tournament without a medal.
The USWNT will be without coach Vlatko Andonovski who has quit his position, along with long-serving general manager Kate Markgraf.
Twila Kilgore, who was Andonovski’s assistant, has taken over the reigns as interim coach until a replacement is found.
However, the clash against Banyana Banyana will also be a special one for the Americans as they will bid farewell to women’s football icon Megan Rapinoe, who will end her international career against the South Africans.
The 38-year old will not be play in the first match in Cincinnati but will make her final appearance in a USA jersey in Chicago.
Rapinoe has played in four FIFA Women’s World Cups (2011 – Germany, 2015 – Canada, 2019 – France and 2023 – Australia and New Zealand) helping the USA to the title in 2015 and 2019.
She was also part of the 2004 FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup in Thailand as well as the Olympic Games in England in 2012 (gold medal), Brazil in 2016 and Japan in 2021 (bronze medal).
“People may think that my career coming to an end would bring sadness, but when I think back on the past 30-plus years of playing this game, my overriding emotions are joy and gratitude. It’s been an unbelievable ride. It will be special to have this one last opportunity to play for my country in front of our incredible fans and get the chance to thank my teammates and everyone who has had an impact on me as a person and player over the years,” said Rapinoe after announcing her retirement.
She has scored 63 goals in 202 matches for her country – becoming the 14th American to reach 200 games.
She made her debut on 23 July in 2006 in a friendly against the Republic of Ireland, but had to wait for three months score her first goals for the national team, netting a brace in a friendly against Taiwan (1 October 2006).
Rapinoe was to be side-lined by injury for two years (2007 & 2008) before returning to the USWNT in 2009.
At club level, she has played for Chicago Red Stars, Philadelphia Independence, Magic Jack and Seattle Sounders Women in the USA, as well as Olympique Lyon in France and Sydney FC in Australia.
The 2019 winner of the Ballon d’Or Féminin and Best FIFA Women’s player in the same year, will run out for OL Reign in her final professional career match on 15 October against Chicago Red Stars.
| Personal information | |||
| Full name | Megan Anna Rapinoe | ||
| Date of birth | July 5, 1985 (age 38) | ||
| Place of birth | Redding, California, U.S. | ||
| Height | 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) | ||
| Position(s) | Midfielder, winger | ||
| Team information | |||
| Current team | OL Reign | ||
| Number | 15 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2002–2005 | Elk Grove Pride | ||
| College career | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Goals) |
| 2005–2008 | Portland Pilots | 60 | (30) |
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Goals) |
| 2009–2010 | Chicago Red Stars | 38 | (3) |
| 2011 | Philadelphia Independence | 4 | (1) |
| 2011 | MagicJack | 10 | (3) |
| 2011 | Sydney FC | 2 | (1) |
| 2012 | Seattle Sounders Women | 2 | (0) |
| 2013–2014 | Olympique Lyonnais | 28 | (8) |
| 2013– | OL Reign | 102 | (47) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2003–2005 | United States U-20 | 21 | (9) |
| 2006– | United States | 202 | (63) |
By Matlhomola Morake
