The South African womens football team is grateful for the opportunities to play warm-up matches ahead of the defense of its Womens Africa Cup of Nations Wafcon title in Morocco in July.
Previously, there was an outcry from the team to bemoan a lack of opportunities ahead of major events.
Banyana are in camp in Pretoria preparing for their friendly international matches against Botswana and Zambia over the next week or so. And captain Refiloe Jane, who just returned from a long injury lay-off, says the team is grateful for the warm-up matches.
Over the years there was a challenge of not fully preparing for big tournaments, but now things have changed and thanks to SAFA for making sure that each and every FIFA window we get to play friendly games and tournaments. So, that gives us a bit of time to gel together and give coaches time to see other players. So, we try and use the games we are getting so that by the time Wafcon comes we are fully ready, sats Jane.
The 22-player squad is a blend of experience and youth, while some players make a welcome return from an assortment of injuries.