7 November 2019 – Banyana Banyana have landed in Japan’s most southern city of Fukuoka, popular for its automobile and steel industries and which will play host to a potentially exciting friendly international match between South Africa’s Senior Women’s National team and the hosts.
Desiree Ellis’ side left OR Tambo on Tuesday and flew to Japan via Hong Kong where they spent the Wednesday night before proceeding to this laid back city on the island of Kyushu, the most southern of Japan’s four main islands.
The team only landed in Japan midday but coach Ellis and the entire squad, which was joined by captain Refiloe Jane, looked in high spirits.
Ellis said she was looking forward to Sunday’s clash which will take place around 12h45 in the afternoon (05h45 SA time).
Jane flew straight from her Milan, Italy base and joined the rest of the squad at Fukuoka international airport before driving with the rest of the team to the hotel, an hour’s drive from the airport.
The team is expected to hold the first training session on Friday and on Saturday before Sunday’s clash which has drawn a lot of excitement from the locals.
The last time the two teams clashed was in the London Olympics where the two sides played to a goalless draw but Ellis said a lot had changed within the two sides and Sunday’s match will be an exciting affair.