Head coach of the Australian Senior Women’s National Team, Tony Gustavsson, says the international friendly match against the Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana is very vital for his side.
The two nations clash on Saturday, 8 October at Kingsmeadow Stadium in London.
This is a historic fixture as it marks the first ever scheduled international friendly between an Australian Women’s National Team and an African nation outside of a FIFA Women’s Cup or an Olympic Games.
Furthermore, it will also be first international match played at the home of England’s Women’s Super League champions, Chelsea Women’s FC – which is the club home of Commbank Matildas captain, Sam Kerr.
“With only four international windows until the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023™, every match has meaning, and every training camp is vital for us to continue building understanding and chemistry in our game plan. Maintaining the core of the squad is still our focus but unfortunately, there are still a couple of players that we will make a call on once we have further medical updates closer to the camp,” said Gustavsson on the FA’s website, Matildas.com.au
“Last window we saw encouraging periods of how we want to play as a team, and we hope to have more players available for this window to give us the opportunity to get the consistency we are working towards. We understand the task ahead of us as a team to prepare for the FIFA Women’s World Cup™ and we are all committed to keep progressing every window.”
This fixture means Australia would have played an opponent from every FIFA confederation over the last 18 months.
“To have played a nation from every FIFA confederation, will provide the coaching staff and the players with a lot of invaluable information during our final phase of preparations,” added Gustavsson.
“South Africa are current champions of Africa and a team that is fast rising in esteem in women’s football. On the road to their first African Cup of Nations title, they demonstrated excellent qualities as a team and as individuals, which should ensure an entertaining and challenging encounter.”
Gustavsson has named a squad of 22 players for the clash against Banyana Banyana. But he will be without the injured Emily van Egmond, Tameka Yallop, Clare Wheeler and Kyah Simon – with Remi Siemsen, Emma Checker and Matilda McNamara brought in.
Meanwhile Desiree Ellis and her charges completed their preparations with the last training session on Friday (7 October) with all the players reporting for national team duty.
“Everyone is in, we have our players from abroad to join the group and we have the full squad. We made a lot of mistakes against Brazil and we are looking for an improved performance in all areas, be better defensively and manage the ball well and be better in decision-making,” said Ellis on www.safa.net
The encounter is part of preparations for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand.
Due various reasons, including visa applications complications, injuries and loss of form, the South African’s will be without regulars Andile Dlamini, Refiloe Jane, Janine van Wyk, Noko Matlou, Lebohang Ramalepe, Kaylin Swart, Noxolo Cesane, Kholosa Biyana, Thembi Kgatlana, Karabo Dhlamini and Nomvula Kgoale – all these players were part of the squad that helped Banyana Banyana lift their maiden continental title when they defeated hosts Morocco in the final of the TotalEnergies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in July.
By Matlhomola Morake
