Head coach of the Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana, Desiree Ellis, has described FIFA chosen venues for 2019 France World Cup site inspection as a "real eye-opener following house of checking out where team will be based for the first match against Spain.
Banyana Banyana will be based in Le Havre, a city in France almost about three hours from Paris, if by car.
"I must applaud FIFA for this amazing experience – it was a real eye-opener. This behind the scenes inspection gives you a sense of how you can plan for the tournament, especially for the first match which sets the tone for the competition. Right now I return home comfortable as to where we will be staying, training and playing. It would have been perfect to tour all three venues but what I saw was just great", Ellis said.
“I return home comfortable and with loads of information for the World Cup. All the coaches and team managers attended the workshop before the site inspection, and we were able to ask about team-specific things because at the end of the day the needs of every team differ.But we were well-received and now there is an open line of communication should we need more information. This helps because you go to the tournament knowing what to expect. And it was all-inclusive – media, technical, logistics, medical, refereeing, marketing and many more. I was very impressed," she told SAFA.net
South Africa Banyana Banyana has been drawn in Group B against Spain, China PR and Germany.
South Africa will kick start the proceedings in the group when they face Spain on Saturday, 8 June at Stade Océane in Le Havre.Later play China PR on Thursday, 13 June at Parc de Princes Stadium in Paris in their second fixture.
The last group stage fixture will take place in Montpellier against Germany – on Monday, 17 June at Stade de la Mosson.
The tournament is slated 7 June to 7 July 2019.
Story Kolog Bonaventure