FIFA’s Women’s World Cup kicks off today: Here is what you need to know
JOBURG – Banyana Banyana will be competing alongside the top teams and we spoke to a local female football club coach on their chances.
FIFA’s Women’s World Cup will be kicking off on 7 June and France will be hosting the event for the first time – and is among the favourites to go all the way.
Banyana Banyana coached by Desiree Eliss is among 24 teams taking part in this year’s tournament, it is the second time our girls are heading off to the big stage representing our nation.
The finest 23 that will represent 🇿🇦🇿🇦 at the 2019 @FIFAWWC in 🇨🇵#DareToShine #fifawwc #BanyanaBanyana #LeMomentDeBriller @SAFA_net pic.twitter.com/jvJnzwuNDB
— Banyana_Banyana (@Banyana_Banyana) June 6, 2019
The women’s game in the past has received less attention from the media and fans alike but that is slowly changing with big corporates jumping on board as TV ratings and interest in the women’s game is growing rapidly.
"This isn't just about women anymore. It's about us leaving a women's footprint. We are counting on you to support us in changing mindsets, so that in the future women's football is simply known as football." – @fatma_samoura
Live 👉 https://t.co/0ePsG2rq50 #FIFAWFC2019 pic.twitter.com/F2QF6P4cPe
— FIFA Women's World Cup (@FIFAWWC) June 6, 2019
Randburg female football club coach Gabby Salgado agrees, “It’s been unbelievable, everyone is talking about the Women’s World Cup, the advertising and getting it out there has been unbelievable.
“Banyana will make us proud and the younger girls in the squad now realise that their dreams can come true.”
She added that the favourites going into the tournament include France, Spain and South Africa.
Women’s football has come a long way and development is a big part, “Younger teams are competing, development is starting from U14. We have leagues such as the regional league, the Absa League and the DSL League are all helping in developing women’s football.”
Founder and head coach of Bantwana College NPC Girls Football Club, Theo Buttress said the World Cup is a great way to get new role models in the sport, “The Women’s World Cup is the largest football stage a team can hope to perform on. Banyana Banyana has shown us that anything is possible and qualified for the 2019 WWC. They are role models for South Africa’s future girls and woman football prodigies. There is hope. I wish Banyana Banyana all the best as they have already made South African football fraternity proud.”
Here are the basics you need to know about the tournament:
- There will be 24 teams competing, divided into six groups of four
- The defending champions are the United States, ranked number one in the world and they are the favourites to retain their title
- Banyana Banyana will be competing in Group B which include Germany, China and Spain
- The grand finale will be on 7 July in Lyon.
Salgado predicted that the final might be contested between host France and Spain come 7 July.
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https://rosebankkillarneygazette.co.za/234769/10-tweets-sum-2018-fifa-world-cup-final/
