The South African Women’s National Football team is looking to send shock waves at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

Banyana Banyana have enjoyed great success under the guidance of coach Desiree Ellis who led them to their first Women’s AFCON title in 2022  overcoming host Morocco in the final. South Africa will be making their second appearance at the Women’s global showpiece and have been drawn in Group G alongside perennial campaigners Sweden, Italy and Argentina.

Led by the phenomenal Refiloe Jane as captain, South Africa’s current golden generation of players will be hungry for more success and have what it takes to get out of the group stages. Banyans will a team to watch out for as they boast high level of technical ability and pace in the team. Thembi Kgatlana, Jermaine Seoposenwe and Linda Mothlalo are some they influential players that will be very instrumental to the team’s success in Australia and New Zealand. Kgatlana in particular will be itching to showcase her skill after missing out of the CAF Women’s AFCON with an injury. Now she is back and ready to cause some damage at the World Cup. She was on target in the 2-0 win against Costa Rica in a warm up match.

“It was amazing to score coming back after a year (from injury) It felt great to have also played more than 70 minutes as a striker you must score. And that is what I have been doing, you know practicing. It also was amazing to see how I connected with my teammates after coming back from my injury,” Kgatlana said.

“We needed this game (against Costa Rica) because we are going into the World Cup in less than a week and having to have played this match I think will boost us. We still have lots of things that we still need to tweak.”

Thembi Kgatlana will be key for Banyana in the World Cup

South Africa opens their World Cup campaign against Sweden on Sunday 23^rd July at the Wellington Regional Stadium in New Zealand and then faces off against Argentina on Friday 28^th July at the Forsyth Barr Stadium also in New Zealand. Banyana will be back at the Wellington Regional Stadium on 2^nd August to play Italy in the last group match.

SOUTH AFRICA PROFILE

Nickname: Banyana Banyana

Head Coach: Desiree Ellis

Captain: Refiloe Jane

World Cup Appearances:   2 (second appearance)

FIFA Ranking: 54

GROUP G

Argetina

Italy

South Africa

Sweden

MATCH SCHEDULE

Sunday 23^rd July, Wellington Regional Stadium

Sweden vs South Africa (07:00 AM CAT / 08:00 AM EAT)

Friday 28^th July, Forsyth Barr Stadium

Argentina vs South Africa (02:00 AM CAT/ 03:00 AM EAT)

Wednesday 2^nd August, Wellington Regional Stadium

South Africa vs Italy (09:00 AM CAT/ 10:00 AM EAT)

Kelvin Trudeau Musako

Football Journalist | TotalEnergies AFCON 2021 Photographer | Media Officer - Kabwe Warriors FC | Graphic Designer | Videographer