Banyana Banyana Prepare For Wafcon With Malawi Friendlies

Banyana Banyana captain, Thembi Kgatlana, says they must take full advantage of the two upcoming FIFA international breaks to get the team ready for the Womens Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Morocco in July.

Kgatlana says its not ideal that theyll only defend their WAFCON title this year. The tournament, initially scheduled for 2024, had to be postponed, and she says theyll just have to adapt. Banyana will face the emerging Malawi in two international friendlies in Soweto tomorrow and next Tuesday as part of their preparations for the WAFCON tournament.

Three players have not yet reported for camp, just three days before the first international friendly against Malawi. The overseas-based players were stranded in the United States due to bad weather conditions. Two players were also forced to withdraw from the squad, but coach Desiree Ellis remains confident that their absence will not negatively affect the teams preparations.

Look its not been easy we know the league has not been in full swing so we worked on a few things that we felt not just for now but for WAFCON as well because we cant work when its not there. So there are a few things that weve worked on otherwise the energy has been good. Its really good to be back in camp and get ready for the next stage of our preparation for WAFCON," says Ellis.

Banyana Banyana star player Thembi Kgatlana says their aim is to successfully defend their WAFCON title they won back in July 2022, even though the tournament was delayed by a year.