South Africa: Banyana Banyana coach applauds Brazil friendlies

South Africa’s senior women’s national team coach, Desiree Ellis, has applauded the country’s association for securing an international against Brazil.

The Women’s Africa Cup of Nations champions, commonly known as Banyana Banyana, are set to play the South American giants in two high-profile international friendly matches. The first one will be played at Orlando Stadium, Johannesburg, on Friday, 2 September. They will meet again three days later at a venue yet to be confirmed by the South African football association (SAFA).

This will be a good chance for Ellis to see what level her players are on ahead of the FIFA Women’s World Cup in New Zealand next year.

“This is amazing. You know, immediately after the WAFCON last month, SAFA said they would give us the best possible preparation for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.  What more could we ask for? A powerhouse, not just in women’s football but also in men’s football,” Ellis told the SAFA website following the announcement of the friendly matches.

She continued: “Brazil are the champions of Copa America, a powerhouse. What a way to start preparing for the World Cup, what a way to start off our campaign. We want to say thank you to SAFA and we want to say thank you to SASOL. They have always been true to their word and we look forward to playing Brazil and whatever is to come after.”

SAFA are determined to get Banyana Banyana high-profile friendly matches to get them ready for the FIFA World Cup.