Banyana To Face Japan

African champions Banyana Banyana will travel to Osaka, Japan, for two crucial international friendlies on June 6 and June 9, 2026. Coach Dr. Desiree Ellis will use the clashes against the reigning Asian champions to sharpen her squad for the rescheduled Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco. 

Key Match Details: Osaka 2026

Opponent: Japan (Nadeshiko), currently ranked 8th in the FIFA World Rankings.

Match 1: Saturday, 6 June 2026 @ Nagai Ballgame Field, Osaka

Match 2: Tuesday, 9 June 2026 @ J-Green Sakai, Osaka

A Stern Test Against the Asian Champions  

The South African Football Association (SAFA) confirmed the away fixtures on Tuesday morning, marking a significant step in Banyana’s preparation for their title defense.

The “Nadeshiko” will provide a world-class challenge for Ellis’s side. Japan enters these fixtures in red-hot form, having been crowned 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup winners earlier this year after defeating Australia 1–0 in the final.

For Banyana, currently ranked 55th in the world, these matches represent the “elite-level exposure” Ellis has consistently called for.

WAFCON 2026: The Road to Morocco

The timing of the Japan tour is strategic. Earlier this month, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced that the 2026 WAFCON has been rescheduled to run from 25 July to 16 August 2026.

The tournament, originally set for March/April, was moved due to “unforeseen circumstances” in Morocco. This delay has given South Africa a wider window to fine-tune their tactics against top-tier global opposition.

Banyana’s 2026 Roadmap