The national women’s football team Banyana Banyana has accepted an invitation to play in England later in the year.

The reigning champions of Africa will face the 2022 European champions, England, in a once-off friendly match that will be played in Coventry. While the match is a friendly, it will form an important part of their preparations for their 2025 Women’s Africa Cup Nations title defence in Morocco next year.

The last time these two nations met was in 2010 when the Lionesses beat South Africa 1-0 in the Cypress Cup.

Refiloe Jane. Photo: Banyana Banyana.

The coach, Desiree Ellis, said this is a big opportunity for them and an excellent opportunity to test themselves against quality opposition for the WAFCON. “After the two away international friendly matches against Senegal in June, this is a great opportunity for us as we continue with our preparations for WAFCON.”

“It gives us time to really prepare well for this challenge to defend our WAFCON title. I’m also excited that the challenge of facing England, the European champions, will test us in a different way. We hope our fans in the United Kingdom will come out in numbers to support us.”

This match will be played on 29 October.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek mc/mvh