Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) champions Banyana Banyana will utilize the upcoming FIFA break for two international friendly matches against Senegal.

The games will be played on Senegalese soil, with kick-offs scheduled for 31 May and 4 June.

“We have always said that we are going to utilize the FIFA dates going forward and we now have these two international friendlies against Senegal. We need to stay active to be ready and prepare for the WAFCON,” said Dr Ellis. 

Coach Ellis highlighted the importance of these matches: “There are players coming back from injury, and we also want to see other players during these friendlies against Senegal. We need to prepare and be ready for WAFCON. We haven’t received any communication on when it is going to happen, but we will utilize these FIFA dates to make sure that we start preparing.”

The next WAFCON will be held in Morocco, but the exact dates are yet to be announced due to a potential scheduling conflict with the Olympic Games taking place in France during July and August.

The final 23-player squad for the Senegal friendlies will be announced soon. This will mark Banyana Banyana’s first matches since their heartbreaking Olympic qualifying defeat to Nigeria last month. The team failed to score in either leg, losing 1-0 on aggregate.