Boost for Banyana’s World Cup preparations
Sports Reporter
World soccer governing body FIFA has allocated $960 000, or R16 million, to Banyana Banyana to help with the team’s preparation for the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand from July 20.
Safa chief financial officer Gronie Hluyo said the funding from Fifa is to prepare Banyana for the World Cup tournament.
“We received $960 000 from Fifa to be used to prepare the team for the World Cup,” Hluyo said.
Banyana are planning to play at least six matches before the start of the World Cup tournament.
Coach Desiree Ellis said they will soon announce their opponents for the friendlies.
“Those teams will be similar to Argentina, Italy and Sweden, with whom we are in the same group for the World Cup tournament. The next Fifa international break is in April, but we are looking at having played against two opponents. We are targeting opponents that are similar to our opponents in the World Cup,” she said.
Ellis added that they will also send programmes to the core group of players they have.
“The next Fifa date is in July but we are looking at having a short camp in May for local players because the overseas players are currently active. At the beginning of July we will begin our full preparations, first at home and then in New Zealand,” Ellis said.