African champions Banyana to play historic clash against Australia in London

Banyana Banyana, the 2022 Women's Africa Cup of Nations champions, will travel to the United Kingdom next month to face Australia in an international friendly.

The match will be played in London on Saturday, 8 October at 13:30 (SA time), with the venue to be confirmed in due course.

It will be a historic meeting between the sides as it will mark the first time Australia's women's team faces an African nation outside the FIFA Women's World Cup or Olympic Games.

The match will help Banyana prepare for next year's World Cup and also give them a chance to test themselves against the Matildas, who will co-host the global event with neighbours New Zealand.

This encounter comes soon after Banyana hosted eight-time Copa América Femenina winners, Brazil, in two friendly internationals in Johannesburg and Durban.

South Africa coach Desiree Ellis said she was excited to be playing against another top side.

London calling...?????? v ???? 8.10.22 - 10:30pm AEDT ??London, UK#WeAreMatildas #AUSvRSA @Banyana_Banyana

"This is very exciting news and another opportunity to play against a top nation," Ellis told the SAFA website.

"Australia are the co-hosts of the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup along with New Zealand.

"Coming so soon after playing against Brazil, this gives us an opportunity to rectify our mistakes as well as test and challenge us.

"It is another opportunity for an improved performance and for players to raise their hands.

"We are really excited. We say thank you to SAFA and SASOL. They said they would get us opponents to prepare for the World Cup, and what a start to our preparations.

"We are really looking forward to this fantastic game."

Matildas head coach, Tony Gustavsson, added: "To have played a nation from every FIFA