Banyana coach happy with 'reasonable draw' for SWC 2023 but 'now the planning starts'

Following the draw for the 2023 Women's Soccer World Cup in Australia and New Zealand last weekend, Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis said that she was happy with South Africa's opponents in the group stages of the tournament.

Banyana Banyana were drawn in Group G with Sweden, Italy and Argentina.  

Sweden are currently considered the second-best team in the world and are only marginally below defending world champions and leaders, the USA.

Meanwhile, Italy are ranked 14th, and while the Argentinians aren't quite as pedigreed as their male counterparts, they're just two spots off their best ranking in 29th.

That said, the South Americans - like Banyana in their maiden appearance in 2019 - haven't made it past the group stages before. 

Sweden were runners-up in 2003, and Italy reached the quarterfinals twice.

Ellis acknowledged that while all groups are challenging at a Soccer World Cup due to the tournament's nature, she thought South Africa had a reasonable draw.

"Look, I think all the groups are tough, but I think it is a reasonable draw," said Ellis, according to the SAFA website. 

"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."

While there were still close to 10 months to go before the tournament gets under way next year, Ellis says that Banyana's planning and preparation would now step up a gear as she looks to get her charges ready for the prestigious event. 

"No