12 February 2018 – SAFA says it will support FIFA’s new ideas of revolutionising the game following a watershed summit recently held in Muscat, Oman last week. Among a raft of changes within the FIFA World Cup competitions, is an envisaged FIFA Women’s World League tournament comprised of the top 16 teams around the world. The format will be made up of four teams from North and South America, two from Africa, six from Europe and the remaining four from Asia/Oceania.
Latest FIFA Women’s published 15 December 2017
“With Nigeria and Ghana currently topping the African rankings, it means [Sasol-sponsored] Banyana Banyana have to go all out and beat these two to be among the elite in the world. Our girls must be among the 16 teams in this elite league,” said SAFA President Dr. Danny Jordaan, who added the Association was fully in support of the changes within the world’s game.
The SAFA President said for this to become a reality and as soon as possible, it was imperative that the country launches the National Women’s League next year.
“We also need a technical capacity that is equal to the best in the world and this falls within our broader Vision 2022 blueprint,” he said.
As a result of all these changes, Dr Jordaan said Banyana Banyana had to qualify on regular basis for AFCON tournaments, starting with Ghana 2018. They also have to qualify for the for 2019 FIFA World Cup in France in order to improve their current FIFA rankings.
“All in all, what all these changes mean is that our teams have to up their game to keep up with the growing pace in this competitive world. We need to be among the best in the world and that means upping our game.”
Meanwhile, the FIFA Women’s World Cup will run from 7 June, to 7 July 2019 in France and will comprise a new-look 24 teams.