Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis has announced her starting XI for South Africa’s Women’s World Cup opener against Sweden.
Banyana enter the tournament as African champions after winning the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations for the first time in their history last year.
It’s their second World Cup tournament, and they will hope to do better than in France 2019 when lost all their group stage games.
Sweden, meanwhile, have been to every previous Women’s World Cup and finished in third place three times, including in the previous edition in France.
However, Sweden have only won one of their last five games – a 4-1 over China, losing to Denmark and Australia, while drawing 0-0 with Germany and 3-3 with Norway, which was their final test before the World Cup.
Both teams have faced each other four times in history, with Sweden winning three, but the latest meeting in 2019 ended in a goalless draw.
Here is how they line up:
South Africa XI: Swart, Ramalepe, Mbane, Gamede, Holweni, Jane, Biyana, Motlhalo, Seoposenwe, Magaia, Kgatlana
Subs: Dlamini, Matlou, Moletsane, Magama, Cesane, Kgoale, Dhlamini, Salgado, Shongwe, Makhubela, Kgadiete, Moodaly
