Banyana Banyana hope to continue to build on the lessons from their Cosafa Women's Championship campaign when they face Algeria in two friendlies in Durban next week.
Image: BackpagePix
Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis believes the postponement of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) has been a blessing in disguise for the national team as they prepare for international friendlies against Algeria in Durban.
The continental showpiece, initially scheduled for Morocco from March 17 to April 3, will now take place between July 25 and August 16. CAF cited “unforeseen circumstances” in announcing the postponement just over a week before kick-off.
Rather than derail preparations, Ellis says the delay has created valuable space for the former African champions to refine their tactical approach, build squad depth and better manage player conditioning.
It has also allowed the team to build on the gains made during their alignment camp during the recent Cosafa Women’s Championship.
“We had no games as a team and that would have been very difficult. Where we were at in our preseason, it probably would have been challenging in terms of the physical capacity, how we would manage that,” Ellis said during a training session at Riverside Sports Club in Durban North.
"You’d have to take players off when you actually need them on the pitch."
The revised schedule has since opened the door for a more structured buildup.
“Now we’ve got two international friendlies, with two more against Japan, and we’re probably going to have another one. Local leagues are hopefully going to start soon, because it's a challenge that players are having an extended preseason. The other challenge is that a lot of the overseas-based players, their season will be done, so we have to sit and plan around that.
“And we also know that with the new dates Fifa had said that the players will only be released six days before the tournament starts. But I’m not too concerned about that, though, because these players have played together for a long time. They fit in almost effortlessly. I’m not too concerned about the team chemistry.”
Ellis is also optimistic that increased match exposure will improve readiness across the squad.
“Hopefully the local players will be playing by that time and will be match fit, which they probably would not have been for the previous Wafcon. You’ll have international matches under your belt and we’ll be able to see what we need to work on, what was good, what was not so good.
“Some players will return from injury, while there are other players in the league that will obviously raise their hands. It gives everybody the opportunity. This will help us to finalise the squad and see what we need, who we take with us, who we keep in the core group, etc.”
The upcoming friendlies against Algeria – at Princess Magogo Stadium and King Zwelithini Stadium – are another key part of that process, offering a different tactical challenge.
“It’s a good opponent – another North African opponent,” Ellis said. “We’ve played a lot of Western African teams, so now we’re playing a different type of team, also possession-based.”
The extended timeline has also enabled a more measured approach to player management and performance analysis. With more matches, returning players and increased competition for places, Ellis believes Banyana will head into the rescheduled tournament significantly better prepared.
What initially appeared a setback may yet prove pivotal in Banyana Banyana’s bid to reclaim the continental crown they won in 2022.