Despite concerns over the recent Turkey and Syria earthquake that has seen more than 35 000 people dead and many more injured, Banyana Banyana will begin their Turkish Women's Cup campaign against Uzbekistan on Saturday.

The tournament which is set to be held in Alanya, 400km from areas affected by the quake will see Banyana Banyana alongside fellow African country Zambia being joined by Bulgaria, Estonia, Uzbekistan, Slovenia, Kosovo, Hong Kong, Jordan and North Macedonia.

With Ellis having already named her squad for the tournament, the 59 year old coach will hope that the team will be ready and prepared for their first match on Saturday against Uzbekistan although some players were seemingly reluctant to go to Turkey for the tournament.

Banyana Banyana will look to use the tournament as part of the preparations for the upcoming Women's FIFA World Cup in New Zealand and Australia during the month of July until August 2023.

Banyana who are in group G along with Sweden, Italy and Argentina in the World Cup will look to do well in the group stages in a bid to qualify for the knockout phase of the competition and potentially go all the way to claiming the title.