England manager, Sarina Wiegman has announced plans to make changes to the Lionesses lineup for Tuesday’s friendly against the Banyana Banyana of South Africa.
After a narrow 4-3 loss to Germany at Wembley on Friday, the Lionesses are looking to rebound in Coventry as they continue preparing to defend their European title at next summer’s tournament.
“We’ll have some different faces out there,” Wiegman revealed. “I won’t say who, but you’ll see changes. We want to experiment with various players and connections, while also managing minutes.”
Friday’s team selection drew some criticism after England conceded four goals for the first time under Wiegman, but she emphasized the importance of testing the squad against high-quality opponents like Germany to better prepare for Euro 2025.
In addition to friendlies against the United States and Switzerland scheduled for November and December, England also has Women’s Nations League matches coming up next year.
“We’re planning everything with an eye on July 2 [the start of Euro 2025],” Wiegman said. “We have five camps to build towards our ideal picture—on and off the pitch. Togetherness is key for us because we believe knowing each other well leads to better play.”
The Lionesses have a fully fit squad, with Fran Kirby and Lotte Wubben-Moy back in training after missing Friday’s game. Facing South Africa will be a unique test for England, as Wiegman’s team is more accustomed to European opponents.
“That’s exactly what we’re looking for,” Wiegman added. “South Africa’s style will be different from the Euros, but it’s a valuable learning experience. We want to see if we can control the game, keep possession moving forward, stay composed on the ball, and manage their counter-attacks, especially with their speed up front.”
