Banyana Banyana prepare for high-intensity clash against Jamaica

Banyana Banyana will take on Jamaica’s Reggae Girlz in the first of two international friendlies on Friday, November 29, 2024, at the Catherine Hall Sports Complex in Montego Bay. Kickoff is set for 8:00 PM local time (3:00 AM South African time).

These matches mark the final fixtures of the year for the Sasol-sponsored South African women’s national team as they conclude their 2024 schedule and shift their focus to next year’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.

Ranked 42nd in the FIFA rankings, the reigning African champions will face a Jamaica side positioned at 50th, with both teams aiming to test their mettle in what promises to be an intense and competitive encounter.

Banyana Banyana head coach Dr. Desiree Ellis has emphasized the importance of these matches in fine-tuning her squad ahead of the WAFCON. Speaking to safa.net, Dr. Ellis expressed her expectations for a challenging contest against Jamaica.

“The Jamaicans will give us a good run for our money. We will be looking to ensure that we build on keeping the ball, creating and converting chances, but also maintaining our defensive structure,” she said.

With the 2024 WAFCON draw now finalized, South Africa has been placed in Group C alongside Ghana, Mali, and Tanzania. Dr. Ellis highlighted the dual purpose of these friendlies—preparing for their WAFCON opponents while evaluating emerging talent.

“Now that the draw for the 2024 WAFCON is out, we are focusing on how we will play against the opponents we have in our group,” she explained.

“However, as much as we are preparing for our opponents, we are also looking at players that may end up making our WAFCON squad.

We have brought many young players to Jamaica who have raised their hands up in the league, and this is a great opportunity for them to fight for spots in the national team.”

The South African team held its final training session on Thursday evening in Montego Bay, fine-tuning strategies and combinations ahead of Friday’s game.

Dr. Ellis aims to strike a balance between testing new tactical setups and maintaining the defensive solidity that has been a hallmark of her side’s success.

The second friendly between the two teams will take place on December 2, also at the Catherine Hall Sports Complex, with kickoff scheduled for 7:00 PM local time (2:00 AM South African time).

These matches serve as a valuable platform for both teams to build momentum heading into their respective continental competitions in 2025.