Banyana Banyana’s last friendly game before the much-anticipated 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup has been revealed.
With less than 50 days left until the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand later this year, Desiree Ellis and her troops are in gear mode for the big spectacle.
Banyana qualified for the 2023 World Cup last year after they reached the semi-finals of the 2022 AWCON, which they went on to win. They will be making a second appearance at the global showpiece in France in 2019.
As part of the preparations, Banyana played six friendly games against, Australia, Brazil [x2], Uzbekistan, Slovenia, and Serbia.
With not much time left until the World Cup, the African Champions will get one last chance to play a friendly game. The game will be staged a few days before the World Cup starts.
They will take on Costa Rica in New Zealand, on 15 July, at the Nga Puna Wal Sport Complex, in Christchurch.
Costa Rica are ranked 36th on the FIFA Women’s ranking, which is higher than South Africa.
BANYANA’S MENTOR ON THEIR FRIENDLY WITH COSTA RICA
“I am really excited to be playing against Costa Rica. This will be our last match before the World Cup starts,” said Ellis.
“They qualified through a tough campaign. It was in the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) World Cup qualifiers.
“So another World Cup-bound team. We’re really looking forward to the match. And to be able to just finally, you know, cross our t’s and dot our i’s just before the World Cup starts,” concluded Ellis.
Ellis troops are in Group G, and they will face Argentina, Italy and Sweden in the group stages. Their first match will be played on the 23rd of July 2023, against Sweden.
However, for now, the focus for Banyana on their final preparations for the World Cup. And their friendly against Costa Rica.
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