England have named a strong squad for their friendly match against Banyana Banyana which will be played in Coventry on October 29.
The Lionesses will take on the African champions in one of two friendly matches lined up this month and it promises to be a major test for Desiree Ellis’ side.
South Africa are set for two high-profile friendly matches in October, starting with Denmark at the Aalborg Stadium on October 25, before they travel to the United Kingdom where they will take on reigning European Champions England at Coventry Building Society Arena, four days later.
England have named a star-studded squad
England coach Sarina Wiegman, whose team will face Germany before the match against South Africa, named a strong squad of 25 players with Aston Villa’s Lucy Parker recalled for the first time in a year following injury as the Lionesses prepare for next summer’s UEFA Women’s EURO 2025.
Lotte Wubben-Moy and Lauren James also make a return after missing July’s qualifiers with the Republic of Ireland and Sweden due to injury as goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse retains her place in the squad while Aggie Beever-Jones and Jessica Naz remain after impressing in the summer having moved across from the WU23s.
“To play Germany at Wembley Stadium is very special and it’s so important that we get experience of executing our style of play against top opponents,” said Wiegman, while reviewing England’s next two opponents.
What have the two coaches said?
“Then South Africa in Coventry, a city and a stadium we know well, will test us in different ways. They showed in the World Cup in 2023 how quickly they are progressing and the high level they are at now. We’ll need to be at our very best on both evenings.”
England and South Africa last met in February 2010, when the European side won 1-0, in the Cyprus Cup tournament.
“England and European Champions, and that on its own will be a great challenge for us, who also hold the title in Africa. We are looking forward to an exciting, fast paced, tactical match against a team we have watched before and a coach whose philosophy I know,” said Ellis, whose side will be using the matches to prepare for the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
