IT'S one month today from the start of the African Women's Championship, where South Africa will be chasing a first World Cup place.

The eight-team championship in Namibia from October 11 to 25 presents a ticket to the top-three finishers to the Women's World Cup in Canada next year, the express goal of Banyana Banyana.

Banyana's Dutch coach Vera Pauw has been brought in with the specific task of ensuring qualification after previous efforts have ended in frustrating heart-break.

South Africa's women have previously narrowly missed out on a World Cup appearance but now that Africa has been granted an extra place in an expanded 24-team field, there has never been a better opportunity.

Preparations have never been as fulsome as over the past month and the squad size is now down to 26, with three still to be cut before the team heads to Windhoek.

"We are not far from deciding the final make-up of the squad that will be representing South Africa in Namibia," said Pauw.

"We have the players in mind and we have to ensure that we get the right balance of the top players and the new recruits.

However, we must pick a squad of high- quality players.

"The next few weeks with the girls will see us combine all the tactics and combination play.

"[We need] to get the desired experience of playing in the heat during match situations against Botswana in Rustenburg on Saturday.

"We are also thrilled that we have the opportunity to test our strength against big opponents such as the Ivory Coast," she added.

South Africa have been drawn in Group B with Cameroon, Algeria and Ghana.

They play Cameroon in their opening match in Windhoek on October 12.