Desiree Ellis outlines similarities between Serbia and their World Cup opponent

Banyana Banyana’s mentor, Desiree Ellis, has outlined similarities between Serbia and one of their 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup opponent.

Banyana are set to face Serbia on 10 April in an international friendly as part of their World Cup preparations.

This will be their last friendly, just before they head off to camp in Australia/New Zealand for their final set of preparations and friendlies.

The mandate leading up to the World Cup for SAFA has been to arrange competitive international friendly matches. Ellis has previously stressed the importance of facing tough opposition to gear up for the World Cup.

And according to the former Banyana midfielder Ellis, Serbia is the perfect opposition for this role.

Serbia is a stronger side than Banyana, and they are similar to one of the opponents the African Champions will face in the group stages.

The AWCON winners are grouped with Argentina, Italy, and Sweden in Group G.

And according to Ellis, out of the three countries that Banyana will face in their group, Sweden stands out as the team with some similarities to Serbia.

Ellis outlined the physicality and the usage of wingers as the similarities both sides have in their style of play.

ELLIS ON THE SIMILARITIES BETWEEN SERBIA AND THEIR WORLD CUP OPPONENT

“They are very physical [Serbia], wing play, they have very quick players. And that is one of the things that we can expect from Sweden.

“With the physicality and wing play, etc.,” said the three-time CAF Women’s Coach of the Year.

The World Cup will start on 20 July – 20 August. This will be Banyana’s second appearance since they debuted in 2019.

And this time, they will look to rewrite their history in the World Cup, as their debut did not go well.

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