The extended group of 29 assembled in Johannesburg on Monday, with seven more overseas-based players expected to join the team in the coming days for the selection camp which will run until 3 July 2023 before the team departs for New Zealand.
Banyana Banyana players have gathered in Johannesburg for their final preparations ahead of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Picture: @Banyana_Banyana/Twitter
JOHANNESBURG – The Banyana Banyana squad has gathered in Johannesburg for their final preparations for the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, which is now just 37 days away.
The extended group of 29 assembled on Monday, with seven more overseas-based players expected to join the team in the coming days for the selection camp which will run until 3 July 2023 before the team departs for New Zealand.
Coach Desiree Ellis will put the players in the preliminary squad through their paces before cutting it down to the final squad of 23 to represent South Africa in their second World Cup appearance.
On a personal note, the players will have added incentive to earn selection to Ellis’ team after FIFA made a guarantee that every player at the tournament will receive at least $30,000 (more than R500,000). Tournament organisers also announced ticket sales for the global event passed the one million mark, meaning the tournament is set to be the most attended standalone women’s sporting event in history.
The 2023 Women’s World Cup kicks off on 20 July, with the final on 20 August.
South Africa is in Group G with Sweden, Argentina, and Italy, and will get their campaign underway against Sweden on 23 July.
Banyana World Cup fixtures:
23 July
Sweden v South Africa (07:00am RSA time), Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington
28 July
Argentina v South Africa (02:00 am RSA time), Dunedin Stadium, Dunedin
2 August
South Africa v Italy (09:00 am), Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington
For all the latest Sports News Click Here
