Banyana coach shakes off Wafcon cobwebs for Brazil challenge: 'We want to be tested'

Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis said their two matches against Brazil at the Orlando Stadium in Soweto on Friday and Monday's encounter at the Moses Mabhida Stadium are necessary tests for them.

The fixtures are Banyana's first since being crowned Women's Africa Cup of Nations champions in July and they'll be up against their South American champion counterparts.

The matches form part of Banyana's first steps towards their World Cup preparation, with next year's World Cup taking place in New Zealand and Australia.

Ellis welcomed the excellence that comes with Brazil, saying this is the kind of education they need to embark on.

"We want to be tested," Ellis said.

"We could play against lower ranked opponents and beat them, but what are we going to learn from that? Are we going to grow?

"We're not going to. However, teams like Brazil will put us under severe pressure and test you. This is where teamwork and individual development come in.

"We have to learn to play and be calm under pressure and this will come with playing teams like Brazil from the beginning."

Ellis was not concerned about their short preparation period, and she explained that in international football, you don't have the luxury of time when preparing.

The SA women are without three players from their Wafcon-winning squad, two of them being Thembi Kgatlana, who's out with a long-term injury while Noko Matlou misses the games through visa issues.

"They're match-fit, even though the period to get ready for the game was really short," Ellis said.

"We came together on Monday and had our first training session on Tuesday, so you can't call match-day minus one a training session because it's about getting a feel of the field.

"We have to manage the travel fatigue,