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South Africa's Banyana Face Tough Task at 2023 Women's World Cup

South Africa's women footballers will face a tough task Down Under as they come up against Argentina, Italy and Sweden in Group G at the Fifa Women's World Cup.

It took a last-minute intervention from South African businessman and CAF boss Patrice Motsepe, through his Motsepe Foundation, to resolve a rift that had raged on for days between the South African Football Association (Safa) and Banyana Banyana's World Cup-bound squad. The Daily Maverick reports that, with their financial demands met, the team can now focus on the task at hand: attempting to progress from the group stage for the first time in just their second Fifa World Cup appearance.

Scrolla Africa reports that South Africa is currently ranked 54th in the world and enter their group as underdogs. Sweden, ranked third, made the semi-finals at both the 2019 World Cup and Euro 2022 and will be hoping to go one better in Australia and New Zealand this year.

Italy's women have qualified for two successive World Cups for the first time in their history. As the 16th ranked team in the world, they will be a big hurdle for Banyana to contend with.

Finally, there is Argentina, which is on a high after Lionel Messi led their men's team to glory in Qatar just over six months ago.

Banyana's campaign kicks off on July 23 against Sweden before the game against Argentina on the 28th. Their group stage will conclude on August 2 against Italy.

South Africa: Banyana At the World Cup - a Guide to Their Group

Scrolla, 6 July 2023

South Africa's female footballers will face a tough task Down Under as they come up against Argentina, Italy and Sweden in Group G at the Fifa Women's World Cup later this month. Read more »
South Africa: Catching up With Banyana Banyana in New Zealand

SAFA, 10 July 2023

The reigning African Champions, who are currently ranked at 54 in the latest FIFA rankings, will face 36th-ranked Costa Rica on Saturday, 15 July 2023 in Christchurch, New Zealand… Read more »
South Africa: SAFA Must Apologise to Banyana - Former Vice President Ria Ledwaba

Scrolla, 10 July 2023

The South African Football Association (Safa) owes an apology to both Banyana Banyana and South Africans, said former Safa vice president Ria Ledwaba at the weekend. Read more »
Botswana/South Africa: SAFA Snubbed Germany and Switzerland for Botswana - Inside Sources

Scrolla, 7 July 2023

Safa is understood to have turned down international friendly match requests from Germany and Switzerland to play against Banyana Banyana but opted for Botswana. Read more »
South Africa: CAF Boss Motsepe Intervenes in Women's Team World Cup Dispute

Capital FM, 5 July 2023

Africa football boss Patrice Motsepe has intervened to resolve a dispute between the South African women's 2023 World Cup squad and the national association, a source told AFP on… Read more »
South Africa: SAFA Plays Blame Game As It Wages War On Players' Union in Banyana Debacle

Daily Maverick, 4 July 2023

The South African Footballers' Union was the recipient of a salvo from the South African Football Association for its perceived part in Banyana's Banyana's standoff with the… Read more »
South Africa: Banyana Banyana Jet Off to Down Under After Cash Injection From Motsepe Foundation

Daily Maverick, 5 July 2023

Banyana Banyana are ready for the World Cup following last-minute moves by the Motsepe Foundation to ensure their financial needs are satisfied. Read more »