SAFA
The identity of the teams that Africa's women football champions Banyana Banyana will face in their group at next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup were finally revealed after the tournament draw was held in Auckland, New Zealand, on Saturday.
Coach Desiree Ellis was present in the room as Sweden, Italy and Argentina were revealed to be the reigning African champions’ opponents in Group G.
The CAF Women’s Coach of the Year said she was happy with the draw as she prepares to take her charges to a second successive FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Next year's global showpiece will be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand from 20 July to 20 August.
Ellis said all the groups are tough but that she believes Banyana have a reasonable draw.
“We have played against Sweden before, but we have not played Italy and Argentina. It could have been a tougher one, so we are happy with it. Now the planning starts, the preparation starts, the analyzing of the teams and making sure that we have as much information as we can, and also getting the right friendlies," she said.
Africa's other representatives had contrasting fortunes in the draw.
Zambia were drawn against Costa Rica, Spain and Japan in Group C, Nigeria tackle Australia, the Republic of Ireland and Canada in Group B, and Morocco have Germany, Colombia and the Korea Republic to contend with in Group H.
