Sasol Banyana Banyana have secured two friendly matches against Algeria to be played in Durban, KwaZulu Natal, next month.
The games against the North Africans will take place on Tuesday 14 and Friday 17 April at a venue yet to be announced and they come hot on the heels of confirming another friendly international against Japan in June.
The exercise forms part of head coach Dr Desiree Ellis’ preparations for the 2026 CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON). The Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced earlier this month that WAFCON 2026 has been re-scheduled and will be held from 25 July – 16 August 2026.
Dr Ellis said that with the women’s continental competition delayed, it was important to keep the players busy with quality opposition.
“Our last friendly was against North African team Morocco and Algeria is similar, they bring a lot of physicality, but a lot different in that they are very good on the counter. They will challenge us in different ways and leading up to WAFCON we need as many difference challenges as we can so that we are able to adapt during the tournament,” said Dr Ellis.
South Africa has been drawn in Group B alongside Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso and Tanzania, while Algeria is in Group A with Morocco, Senegal and Kenya.
Meanwhile Dr Ellis has announced a squad of 24 players to face Algeria. She has kept the bulk of the team that was recently in camp for the COSAFA Women’s Championship. Four players, Sibulele Holweni, Bongeka Gamede, Thembi Kgatlana and Jessica Wade, have not been considered for medical reasons.
The squad assembles for camp on Monday, 6 April before travelling to Durban.
SOURCED FROM THE SAFA WEBSITE.
