SAFA had lined up a series of high profile international friendly matches for Banyana Banyana prior to the team participating in Ghana 2018.
As part of this long term plan, Banyana Banyana played a series of high profile matches in the lead up to the Women’s AFRICA CUP of NATIONS, Ghana 2018 – where they finished runners up and unbeaten in regulation time.
Given SAFA’s confidence in Banyana Banyana qualification for next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup, SAFA concluded agreements with some world class international opponents. SAFA is now able to make the formal announcement, together with the United States Soccer Federation, of a match involving the two world cup qualified teams.
The match between BANYANA BANYANA and USA will take place on Sunday, 12 May 2019 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California (South of San Francisco) which is a massive American football stadium and home to the San Francisco 49ers.
The match against BANYANA BANYANA forms part of the USA’s entire pre-FIFA Women World Cup preparations and is one of the US’ three-game “Send-Off Series” before they leave for France, where next year’s World Cup will take place.
The USA match is the latest among a series of international friendlies that were lined up for BANYANA BANYANA, who played the most attractive football at the AWCON. Their only defeat was a penalty shootout in the final against winners Nigeria after the two teams had remained deadlocked 0-0 in regulation and extra time.
BANYANA BANYANA are scheduled to play a top European World Cup Qualifier on 19 January 2019 at the Cape Town Stadium and three days later clash with Sweden (another World Cup Qualifier) at the same venue on 22 January 2019. BANYANA BANYANA also play a closed-door training match with Sweden on 17 January 2019, as part of their World Cup preparations.
The FIFA Women’s World Cup draw will take place this Saturday, 8 December 2018 and coach Ellis left on Thursday, 6 December for France – where she will be joined by SAFA President Dr Jordaan who was invited by FIFA President Infantino, to witness the proceedings.
