Banyana Banyana have arrived in Morocco and begun preparations for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in the host nation ahead of their title defence.

The team departed from South Africa on 24 June and arrived in Casablanca a day later, where the team will train and acclimatise before moving to Oudja on 3 July, where they will play all of their group games.

This is Banyana Banyana’s first trip back to the north African nation since claiming the WAFCON title in 2022.

Speaking to SAFA.net, head coach Dr Desiree Ellis said: “It was a long and tiring trip, but we have arrived and nicely settled in, and we managed to have our first training session.”

Ellis is still awaiting the arrival of Jermaine Seoposenwe and Kgaelebane Mohlakoana, who have not yet joined the squad due to club duties.

The tournament will commence on 5 July, with Banyana Banyana’s opening fixture coming two days later against Ghana at the Honneur Stadium in Oujda.

The reigning champions will then face Tanzania on 11 July and Mali on 14 July at the same venue.