24 October 2022 – The draw for the 2023FIFA Women’s World Cup was confirmed on Saturday in Auckland, New Zealand, and Banyana Banyana were pitted against Italy, Sweden and Argentina in Group G.
SAFA President Dr Danny Jordaan, who attended as one of the dignitaries from different Football Associations from around the world, believes the South African women’s national team has a chance to make it out of the group stages when the global showpiece kicks off in July 2023.
“When you look at the World Cup, it has the 32 best teams in the world and every group is tough. But looking at our group, I think we stand a chance and we have to prepare well now,” Dr Jordaan told www.www.safa.net
“We don’t have a world champion in our group, so we do stand a chance but it won’t be easy.
“All African teams, I think, are in extremely strong groups. We hope that one or two African teams get through to the second round.”
“We have been to France and this is our second time [at the World Cup], we have to go through to the next round.”
The SAFA President used the trip to also sell South Africa’s bid to host the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup to the attendees of the draw.
“As far as bidding is concerned, we are waiting for two things; for FIFA to bring out the regulations requirements for bidding countries. Germany is here and they are bidding around and talking, and I have also been interacting with different people. So there is a strong feeling that we should be one of those who will be there at the end.
“It’s still a long way to go. We have to get government approval and acceptance of our credentials from FIFA and get full scale of the bidding. But so far it is very encouraging.”
The Banyana Banyana contingent in New Zealand – coach Desiree Ellis, team manager Lauren Duncan and Media Officer Sinethemba Mbatha – will travel to the different base camps in the coming days and then select their preference. This will be the team’s base when the tournament kicks off in July 2023.