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South Africa’s 2023 Women’s World Cup squad will travel to New Zealand after a dispute highlighting gender pay gaps was resolved. Photo: Sydney Mahlangu/ BackpagePix

Banyana coach reacts to World Cup group of death draw

Banyana Banyana head coach Desiree Ellis has had her say on being drawn in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup group of death.

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South Africa’s 2023 Women’s World Cup squad will travel to New Zealand after a dispute highlighting gender pay gaps was resolved. Photo: Sydney Mahlangu/ BackpagePix

Banyana Banyana head coach Desiree Ellis has had her say on being drawn in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup group of death.

The identity of the teams that South Africa will face in their group were revealed after the tournament draw was held in Auckland, New Zealand, on Saturday.

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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. 

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ELLIS REACTS TO BANYANA BANYANA’S WORLD CUP GROUP OF DEATH DRAW

“Look, I think all the groups are tough, but I think it is a reasonable draw,” she told SAFA website after the 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.

“When it comes to Sweden, we have played against the Netherlands and they are similar. And with regards to Argentina, we have played against Brazil and they are similar. Italy are from the same continent as the Netherlands, but maybe they are different types of teams.

“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.”

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Banyana Banyana were handed a nightmare draw for next year’s Women’s Soccer World Cup to be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand. Photo: Backpagepix

The tournament will be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand next year and Africa’s other representatives had contrasting fortunes during the draw.

Zambia were drawn against Costa Rica, Spain and Japan in Group C, while Nigeria tackle Australia, the Republic of Ireland and Canada in Group B.

Morocco who lost to Banyana Banyana in the WAFCON final were drawn against Germany, Colombia and the Korea Republic to contend with in Group H.

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