South Africa’s Banyana Banyana are reportedly refusing to play today’s international friendly match against Botswana, according to SABC Sport.

The South African Football Association (SAFA) organized the sendoff match for the Banyana Banyana to be played today at the Tsakane Stadium.

However, the players feel the opposition is substandard compared to their World Cup opponents. They have also indicated that the pitch is not of international standard, hence their refusal to honour the friendly match.

SABC Sports further reports that SAFA has now allegedly threatened to send the World Cup-bound team home.

It is also alleged a different team of 20 players, is now being assembled to play against Botswana this afternoon.

READ MORE: FIFA releases eight alternative armbands for teams to use at the Women’s World Cup.

Banyana Banyana are among the four African countries that will compete at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, which is set to commence on July 20th. The list includes Zambia, Nigeria, and Morocco.

South Africa is in Group G alongside, Argentina, Italy, and Sweden.

They will kick off their campaign against Sweden on July 23, at the Sky Stadium in in Wellington, New Zealand.