Banyana Banyana head coach Desiree Ellis has discussed how they will deal with the occasion of playing against USA in a game organised in honour of Megan Rapinoe, who will retire from international football.
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Rapinoe, who won the Ballon d'Or Feminin and FIFA's The Best award in 2019 after the Americans won their second consecutive World Cup, where she was also named the best player of the tournament and won the Golden Boot award, played her last World Cup in New Zealand and Australia, where USA exited in the round of 16, their lowest-ever finish.
Former head coach Vlatko Andonvski resigned following USA's defeat to Sweden and his assistant, Twila Kilgore has been named temporary head coach, as the Americans search for a permanent head coach.
Banyana will play against USA in international friendlies on 21 September in Cincinnati and three days later in Chicago, in a match that will be played in honour of Rapinoe, who will retire from international football.
Ellis opened up on playing in the "farewell game" for Rapinoe and also discussed what she expects from the USA team under caretaker charge of Kilgore shortly after announcing her 23-member squad on Wednesday.
"I don't think coach Twila will change the way they play, it's also a short turnaround time, they do maybe have a few replacements, with Julie Ertz retiring immediately, Sophia Smith had picked up an injury but I'm not sure whether she will be available," Ellis said on SABC Sport TV.
"And of course Megan Rapinoe, especially the second game it's going to be an emotional game for her and the USA. It's a send off match for her, I don't think she (Kilgore) will tweak the way they play and she will want to stamp her authority as well.
"Them having a celebration, it might be a celebration with Megan Rapinoe stepping down after that from international football (and) they would want to win it as well to give her a fantastic send off," she said.
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Banyana will be without captain Refiloe Jane due to injury and Ellis added that team work will be important for them when facing the four-time World Cup champions.
"For us team work is really important, all our players but obviously they are top players, there is no two ways about it. Losing your captain (Refiloe Jane) is also huge but I think during the World Cup Thembi really stepped up as a captain," she concluded.
Banyana's two friendlies against USA represents an opportunity for a watershed moment, where they will be looking to prove that their last-16 run in the Women's World Cup in New Zealand and Australia was not a fluke.
Banyana's 23-member squad:
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— Banyana_Banyana (@Banyana_Banyana) September 6, 2023
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