Banyana Banyana will face former World Champions Japan in an international women's friendly match scheduled for Sunday, 10 November 2019.
The clash will take place at the Kitakyushu Stadium in Fukuoka, Japan.
As hosts of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics Games, the Asians have automatically qualified for the tournament and they are using this match to get ready.
This will be the second ever meeting between the two nations. The first match was at the London Olympic Games in July 2012 in the group stages, and it ended in a goalless draw at Millenium Stadium in Cardiff.
Some of the players from the current squad that was at that match include Robyn Moodaly, Nothando Vilakazi, Janine van Wyk, Leandra Smeda, Noko Matlou, Refiloe Jane.
Japan is ranked 11thin the world, with Banyana Banyana coming in at 49.
PREPARATION: Coach Desiree Ellis will prepare her team well. Picture: Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix.
In their respective continents (AFC and CAF), they both occupy third positions.
South Africa and Japan were at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in France, with Banyana Banyana being knocked out in the group stages, while the Asians departed the scene in the next round of 16.
The country has been ever-present in the Women’s World Cup since the inaugural tournament in 1991. They were crowned champions in 2011 following a 3-2 penalty shootout victory over the current world champions USA, after the scores were level at 2-2 at the end of extra time.
In the following edition in 2015, they finished in second place.
Japan have won the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Women’s Asian Cup twice.
In their last five fixtures, Japan has won just one, drawn two and lost the other two.
The Asians will also host Canada four days (6 October) before playing South Africa.
African News Agency