The Women’s World Cup trophy has completed its two day tour in South-Africa as part of a 32 country tour that aims to “inspire global excitement” ahead of the tournament, which will take place in Australia and New Zealand between July 20 and August 20.

South-African Football Association (SAFA) received the trophy at the Shapa Soweto Centre in Pimville on Wednesday, March 22 with the presence of players from the Banyana Banyana women’s national team, including the nation’s coach Desiree Ellis.

In addition, the event saw the presence of SAFA president Danny Jordan, soccer legends, as well as representatives from FIFA. FIFA indicated that the tour, which is the “biggest-ever” Women’s World Cup Trophy Tour, seeks to “inspire people of all ages by ‘Going Beyond’ to celebrate the rocketing popularity of the women’s game.”

The tour began on February 25 and will make stops in Asia, Africa, South America, North America, and Europe until May 22. It will then stop in nine cities in Australia and New Zealand which will host the World Cup games.

Banyana have been drawn in group G, alongside South American powerhouse Argentina and European giants Italy and Sweden.

Desiree Ellis guided Banyana Banyana to their maiden continental triumph, with a 2-1 win over Morocco in the final, but the task gets even tougher for Ellis and her ladies as they now chase the biggest crown of them all at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World

Written by Thapelo Magola