Banyana Banyana
By Mpho Moloi
Johannesburg- Banyana Banyana will go head-to-head with FIFA Women’s World Cup finalists, England, in an away international friendly match scheduled for October. The match is set to take place at the Coventry Building Society Arena on Tuesday, 29 October 2024. This encounter forms a crucial part of the African champions’ preparations for the upcoming Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco next year.
Preparations for WAFCON
Coach Desiree Ellis has expressed her enthusiasm for the match, highlighting its importance for the team’s preparation. “After the two away international friendly matches against Senegal in June (1-1 and 2-0), this is a great opportunity for us as we continue with our preparations for WAFCON,” Ellis stated. “It gives us time to really prepare well for this challenge to defend our WAFCON title. I’m also excited that the challenge of facing England, the European champions, will test us in a different way. We hope our fans in the UK will come out in numbers to support us. Lastly, a very big thank you to both SAFA and Sasol for their unwavering support and in getting us this top nation to test us as we continue with our preparations to defend our title in the WAFCON.”
The significance of this match cannot be understated, as it has been over 14 years since Banyana Banyana faced the European champions. Their last encounter was during the group stages of the Cyprus Cup in February 2010, where England secured a narrow 1-0 victory.
Building on Recent Success
SAFA CEO, Lydia Manyepao, highlighted the importance of this fixture for the team’s development. “It is a great opportunity for us as African champions to play against the European champions as a stage for our players to showcase how far we’ve developed as a nation. Playing in front of a large South African and African expat community living in England will give coach Desiree and the girls an extra gear to get a good result,” Manyepao noted.
This match will not only serve as a test of skill but also as a morale booster for the team as they gear up for WAFCON 2024. It provides an invaluable chance for the players to refine their strategies and gain experience against top-tier competition.
Support from Sponsors
The importance of sponsorship and support for the team was emphasized by Nozipho Mbatha, Senior Manager: Group Brand & Sponsorships at Sasol. “We are thrilled to support SASOL Banyana Banyana as they prepare to face England in this upcoming friendly. This match will present an excellent opportunity for the team to fine-tune their strategies and skills for the 2024 WAFCON tournament. We believe that they will use the power of sport to inspire and unite South Africans, and on behalf of Sasol, we wish them all the best.”
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