Sports Minister Zizi Kodwa has proven to be one of Banyana Banyana’s biggest supporters as he arrived in New Zealand to encourage the team ahead of their 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup opener.
Scheduled to kick off their World Cup campaign against tournament favorites Sweden on Sunday at 7 am, the South African Women’s football team, current African Champions, aims to improve upon their previous record of three losses in three games.
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Since arriving, Kodwa has taken the opportunity to extend a premature ‘pep’ talk to coach Desiree Ellis and her team as they face the third-best team in the world.
A video posted on his Twitter page showed Kodwa addressing the team alongside Safa President Danny Jordaan and Safpu President Thulaganyo Gaoshubelwe.
Despite recent tense discussions about the bonus structures of the Banyana players, which caused disruption during the final preparations for the tournament, the trio came together to show their unwavering support.
During negotiations between SAFA and SAFPU, Kodwa played a crucial role as a mediator between the two parties, facilitating the resolution of the issues. Now, they have set aside their differences and are focused on rallying behind the team.
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Jordaan, Gaoshubelwe, and Kodwa have been actively participating in Banyana’s practice sessions, providing much-needed confidence ahead of this challenging task for the Wafcon champions.
With the Sports Minister’s backing and the unwavering support of the nation, Banyana Banyana is gearing up to face their Swedish opponents, determined to make a significant impact in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. The entire country stands united, ready to cheer their team on to victory.
