The South African women’s national team, Banyana Banyana, is entering the final phase of preparations for the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), set to kick off in Morocco this July.

As reigning African champions, the team will play two high-stakes friendly matches against neighboring Botswana and Zambia in the coming weeks. Head coach Desiree Ellis emphasized that these games are critical for fine-tuning their strategy ahead of the continental tournament.

With the WAFCON just weeks away, Ellis acknowledged the limited time left to prepare. “We know how many days are left before WAFCON starts, so this is the last window before the tournament,” she said. “We’re working behind the scenes to ensure everything is right—not just for these friendlies, but for what comes after as well.”

Banyana Banyana have been drawn into Group C alongside Ghana, Mali, and Tanzania. Ellis revealed that her technical team has been closely monitoring their opponents, though gathering footage has been challenging.

“Teams in Africa don’t necessarily film their matches, but we try to find highlights and past games to analyze,” she explained. “We’re making sure we have as much information as possible to prepare effectively.”

South Africa’s first test will be against Zambia, ranked 153rd globally but known for their speed and transition play. Despite their lower ranking, Zambia were semi-finalists in the previous WAFCON edition.

“Zambia has quick players, and their new coach is trying to implement a certain style,” Ellis noted. “But we also know there are weaknesses we can exploit.”

Next, Banyana will face Botswana, ranked 64th in the world and quarterfinalists in the last tournament. Ellis expects a physical battle. “Botswana brings physicality, as does Zambia—something we’ve struggled with in the past,” she admitted. “We need to move the ball quicker, improve off-the-ball movement, and be clinical in front of goal.”

The 2024 WAFCON will begin on  in Morocco, with South Africa looking to defend their title after their historic 2022 victory. Ellis stressed the importance of a well-rounded approach. “We’re not focusing on just one area—we need all departments to function at their best.”

With these friendlies serving as a final litmus test, Banyana Banyana are leaving no stone unturned in their quest for back-to-back African glory.