Lebohang Ramalepe weighs in on Banyana’s readiness for World Cup

The ex-Dinamo Minsk defender Lebohang Ramalepe has weighed in on Banyana Banyana’s readiness for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. 

The eagerly-awaited tournament will be co-hosted by the Australia and New Zealand from July 20 until the 20th August, 2023. 

Desiree Ellis‘ charges are drawn in Group G alongside Sweden, Italy and Argentina. 

Many South African football fanatics have deemed Banyana’s group as a group that is too strong for the African champions. 

South Africa booked their ticket to the World Cup after their Africa Women’s Cup of Nations [WAFCON] triumph when they got the better of the hosts Morocco 2-1 in the tournament’s finals. 

However, Ramalepe reckons that the team need to be in “a reset mode” and start fixing where they are lacking as time is still on their side. 

The talented Limpopo-born footballer was part of the Banyana squad that WAFCON competition last year. 

LEBOHANG RAMALEPE BELIEVES BANYANA ARE NOT YET READY FOR WORLD CUP 

“I think we just need to be in a reset mode and start afresh,” Ramalepe told FARPost. 

“We need take out the WAFCON celebrations in our mind and prepare for something bigger and better than the WAFCON.

“So, we need to prepare ourselves throughly. However, we are not yet ready. I think we still have more time to prepare and get ourselves ready World Cup.”

THE GAP BETWEEN THE EUROPEAN AND SOUTH AFRICAN FOOTBALL 

Ramalepe went on to reveal that the gap between European football and the local game is still a lot, as we got a lot to do to close that gap. 

“The gap is too much. European teams invest more in their development,” she added. 

“They make sure that when these youngsters come into the national set-up, they fit in well with the experience they have gained from the development.

“So, we are still far, we need to work more in our women’s football in our country.”

She continued: “We need to nurture this talent so that when they reach the national level, everyone is on the same page.”

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