Banyana Banyana have wasted no time in getting down to business as their preparations for the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup continue.
The South Africans will play reigning world champions and the number one ranked women’s team in the world, the United States, in an international friendly match in California on Sunday.
This will be Banyana Banyana’s eighth match as preparations continue ahead of their maiden World Cup appearance in France between the 7 of May and the seventh of July.
South Africa has played several matches against international opposition.
They have taken on Sweden, the Netherlands, Korea DPR, the Czech Republic, Finland twice and more recently Jamaica.
The team departed to United States on Monday evening from the OR Tambo International airport and only arrived on Wednesday after 31 hours of travelling.
Banyana coach Desiree Ellis says:”It was quite tough travelling because we tried to keep the players awake as long as we could but unfortunately it was really tough getting here.”
The USA will be their toughest opposition to date, and this will be the second meeting between the two nations.
“We played them in 2016, we gave a good account of ourselves but its world cup we preparing for and everyone has taken a step up it’s a great opportunity for players.”
South Africa will be without China-based Linda Motlhalo and Thembi Kgatlana, as well as Leandra Smeda, who plays her football in Sweden, due to club commitments.
Jermaine Seoposenwe and Nothando Vilakazi, who recently signed new contracts in Lithuania, will be available, together with Spain-based Ode Fuludutilu.
