Banyana Banyana are set to face Costa Rica in an international friendly match at the Nga Puna Wai Sport Complex in Christchurch ahead of the World Cup.

The game will help coach Desiree Ellis get ready for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, which will be held in Australia and New Zealand from July 20 to August 20.

Ellis said she was glad to play a team that had already qualified for the World Cup. She thinks that the team will be a tough test for her Sasol-sponsored players before the tournament starts.

“I am really excited to be playing against Costa Rica,” the Banyana Banyana coach told www.safa.net.

“This will be our last match before the World Cup starts. They qualified through a tough campaign 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.”

Banyana Banyana were put in Group G at the World Cup, along with Sweden, Italy, and Argentina. Lydia Monyepao, the CEO of SAFA, said that the Costa Ricans will be a great way for the South African senior women’s national team to get ready for what they will face in Group G.

“The friendly match against Costa Rica is crucial in our preparations for this FIFA Women’s World Cup,” the SAFA CEO said.

“We are aiming higher in this tournament, and the rehearsal against Costa Rica will give us an idea on one of our group opponents, Argentina.”

The players on Coach Ellis’s team won the biggest prize in women’s football on the African continent in 2022 when they beat Morocco in the WAFCON final. They will be going to the global event for the second year in a row after making their debut in France in 2019.

“We wish the Banyana Banyana team the best of luck on their friendly match against Costa Rica, which we believe will give our team good practice just before they compete on the world stage,” said Nozipho Mbatha, Sasol Senior Manager: Group Brand and Sponsorship.

“We also call on all South Africans to continue to send their messages of support to Banyana Banyana via WhatsApp at 072 603 7325 or USSD by dialling *120*676#. Let us all remember that as South Africans, our support will give the team all the energy they require to push hard at all their upcoming matches, including this friendly match.

“And to Banyana Banyana, go live the impossible in Australia and New Zealand! Sasol is behind you all the way.”

Photo by Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix