Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis.
Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis believes her team will be ready for the formidable test against Japan at the Yanmar Hanasaka Stadium in Osaka on Saturday (kick-off at 08:50 SA time) despite missing some key regulars.
The Japanese are the current Asian champions and are ranked No. 5 in the world. Banyana are 58th in the FIFA rankings.
The task will be even tougher with Banyana being without defender Lebohang Ramalepo because of exam commitments, while Amogelang Motau, Hilda Magaia, and Shakira O’Malley are also absent due to injuries.
“We have a couple of players missing, but that’s the norm in football. When players are not available due to injuries, it allows others to step up,” Ellis said.
