Thembi Kgatlana says the two friendlies have indicated where Banyana needs to improve

The two European nations are ranked 12th and second in the world respectively.

The Mexico-based player was speaking after the African Champions narrowly lost 2-1 to the Lionesses in an exciting international friendly match played on Tuesday night in Coventry City. 

The South Africans were also defeated in the first match, going down 5-0 to the Danes. 

Kgatlana says they now know what to do going forward.

"It was really good to have these two games because they really help us to prepare. I mean it's a long road but the coaches and the technical team and the players as well we have an idea of what we lack and also have an idea of what we are good at," Kgatlana said.

"So, going forward I think it's things that the coaches will help us to look into. We need to fix the things that we need to work on and we also need to continue with the good things that we are doing as a team."

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Kgatlana, who scored in the 2-1 defeat to England, was singing the praises of her teammates.

"It was a good game, I think also the players that were not there in Denmark like I said earlier with the experience came in and carried the team. We came strongly in the first half, struggled a bit, conceded but then when we went back, we did our best to come out and gave our best also," she added.

England are the reigning Women’s European Champions as well the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup runners up, and Kgatlana says it is important to face such competition.

"We want to play against the best teams and as you said, England is ranked number 2. So, obviously thankful to the federation for organising these games because we are on a long journey in preparation for the Africa Cup of Nations.

“So, this is a performance that we are going to take, a lot of things to fix but also the good things that we did to be able to score against a number 2 team is not very easy and also coming out in the second half with a strong performance."