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Banyana Banyana captain admits they had a disappointing WAFCON

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Picture: Banyana Banyana captain, Refiloe Jane  

By REGINALD KANYANE

28 July 2025- Banyana Banyana captain Refiloe Jane says the players are disappointed with their final results at the CAF Women Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) 2024, where they finished in fourth place. The South African senior women’s national team, who were the defending champions, were pipped to fourth place by Ghana 4-3 on penalties after the two nations were deadlocked at 1-1 during regulation time at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca, Morocco, on Friday.

Linda Motlhalo, Bambanani Mbane and Jermaine Seoposenwe converted their spot kicks while Sibulele Holweni and Hilda Magaia had their shots saved by Ghana goalkeeper Cynthia Fiindid Konlan. This is the first time in three editions of this tournament that Banyana Banyana failed to make it to the podium.

In 2018, they claimed silver and then they took gold in 2022.

“Obviously, we are disappointed to be going home empty-handed. Throughout the tournament it wasn’t an easy one for the players, and there were a lot of challenges on and off the pitch. But we tried to put in a great performance, we tried to do our level best, and we tried to retain the trophy as the main objective.

“But going home now there’s a lot of work still to be done and we’re hoping that the next WAFCON comes, which is very important, it’s a World Cup qualifying tournament, we hope that we can do well. But firstly we need to do well in the qualifiers,” she said.

Jane further said the team is going through a transition and a lot of changes can be expected.

“Given the situation within camp, given the players that we had and a lot of transition that was taking place in the team, we’re hoping that a lot of positives can be taken from this tournament and build on that,” she added.

The Ghana clash in the third and fourth playoff was the final match for Seoposenwe in national team colours after 112 appearances. She announced her retirement shortly before the start of the WAFCON and Jane showered her with praise.

Jane said Jermaine has been a key figure in the national team from when she was a teenager to now calling retirement. She said they know how much contribution she has given to the team on and off the pitch and she leaves a great legacy one to be followed by upcoming teenagers or upcoming players who look up to her.

“So, we are hoping that a lot of lessons can be taken from the type of person and player that she is,” said Jane.

The Banyana Banyana squad arrived back home in South Africa on Monday evening.

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‘We just have to pick ourselves up’

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Picture: Banyana Banyana players

By OBAKENG MAJE

27 July 2025 – Banyana Banyana coach Dr Desiree Ellis has admitted that it was not their day after the South African senior women’s national team suffered defeat to Ghana in a CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) 2024 third and fourth place play-off match played at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca, Morocco, on Friday night.

The South Africans went down 4-3 on penalties after both sides were tied at 1-1 at the end of regulation time. Ghana finished third to claim a bronze medal, while Banyana Banyana returned home with a fourth-place finish.

“We started very slowly, got into the game and got a goal when we pressed. But they came out guns blazing for most of the second half, especially that first 15 minutes. We couldn’t get our foot on the ball to slow the game down, and to take control.

“They were just better than us in the second half and eventually went to penalties, we always knew that we had a chance. Unfortunately, we didn’t win the penalty shootout this time around, so congratulations to Ghana. We live on, and we’ll then start preparing for what’s forward,” she said.

Ellis further said in the six matches that the South Africans have played in this tournament. She added that they managed two wins in open play – defeating Ghana (2-0) and Mali (4-0).

“They drew against Tanzania (1-1), beat Senegal on penalties in the quarterfinals before going down 1-2 to Nigeria in the semi-finals.

“I think some of the games took a lot out of us, but we always knew either getting to the final or getting to the third and 4th place playoff we still had another game. We had five substitutes really because we’ve also picked up some injuries along the way, but that’s not an excuse,” said Ellis.

She said they just have to pick themselves up, these things happen in football. Elliss said one got to give credit to the opponents, in most situations they were better than them and she was not going to sugar-coat that.

“You’ve got to give credit where it’s due,” she said.

Ellis made five changes to the team that lost to Nigeria – bringing on Sibulele Holweni, Regina Mogolola, Nonhlanhla Mthandi, Noxolo Cesane and Hilda Magaia in place of Karabo Dhlamini, Tiisetso Makhubela, Fikile Magama, Refiloe Jane and Gabriela Salgado.

“We dust ourselves off and move on. We can’t look back too much. Yes, it was not a great campaign, but we got into the semi-finals and came very close to getting to the final, so we’ll just move on.

“Like every team that comes to a tournament, we had ambitions of winning it, but we didn’t get there. Unfortunately, we did not do well today,” said Ellis.

She said Mbane is the only player that played every second of every match in the tournament. Ellis said this was also the final appearance for South African forward Jermaine Seoposenwe in the national team colours as she announced her retirement before the start of the tournament.

Meanwhile, the South Africans will fly out of Morocco on Sunday and are expected to land in South Africa on Monday evening.

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Banyana suffer defeat to Ghana in bronze medal match as they bow out of WAFCON

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Picture: Banyana Banyana players

By OBAKENG MAJE

26 July 2025 – Banyana Banyana’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) campaign ended on a disappointing note after they were beaten 4-3 on penalties by Ghana in the bronze medal match at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca, Morocco, on Friday night.

The two teams had finished regulation time level at 1-1 after the first half opening strike from Nonhlanhla Mthandi on the stroke of half-time, and Ghana’s equalizer by Alice Kusi in the 68th minute.

It was then left up to the lottery of the penalty shootout to decide this 3rd/4th place playoff match and settle the destiny of the bronze medal. Linda Motlhalo, Bambanani Mbane and Jermaine Seoposenwe converted their spot kicks for South Africa, while Sibulele Holweni and Hildah Magaia were denied. Ghana converted their kicks through Kusi, Josephine Bonsu, Jennifer Cudjoe and Nancy Amoh while Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah’s shot was saved by South Africa’s Andile Dlamini.

The two goalkeepers – Dlamini and Ghana counterpart Cynthia Konlan – were in excellent form during the shootout, but it was the West Africans who eventually held their nerve to win the match. The result means that Seoposenwe will exit the international stage without the medal she had hope she would claim with the South African senior women’s national team on her final match.

The South Africans will return on Monday, 28 July 2025.

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No one needs motivation to face Nigeria  

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Picture: Banyana Banyana coach, Dr Desiree Ellis

By AGISANANG SCUFF

22 July 2025- Banyana Banyana coach Dr Desiree Ellis said they are ready to tackle Nigeria in the semi-finals of the CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) 2024 on Tuesday at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca, Morocco.

The kick-off is at 6pm SA time (5PM local time in Morocco).

The clash between the South African senior women’s national team and the Super Falcons of Nigeria is a much-anticipated clash with both nations pursuing the trophy for different reasons. The African Champions want to successfully defend their title – becoming the first country after Nigeria to do so, while the West Africans are on Mission X – they have won a record nine titles and are gunning for the 10th trophy.

“Nigeria is a familiar team that we’ve played against over the last couple of years. We travelled yesterday and today, and we will have our final training session and there’s not much you can do in one day. But there are a few things that you can tweak, and a few things that you can work on.

“The technical team has been really busy behind the scenes and leaving no stone unturned, so I think you don’t need motivation for a semi-final, and we are ready for the game,” she said.

The four-time CAF Woman Coach of the Year believes that their previous meetings with Nigeria will not mean much as the stakes are now higher.

“I don’t think it means a lot, it does mean, however, that we know we can get over the line, but I think past results don’t really mean anything because it’s a different tournament and it’s three years down the line.

“Also, it’s a different coach and some new players, but it’s the same Nigeria and they have the quality. We have to be on top of our game to make sure we get over the hurdle. They are the only country that has defended back-to-back on numerous occasions, and it would be big for our country,” said Ellis.

The two teams travelled different paths to the last four, with Nigeria winning all their four games, with the quarterfinal being a complete run-over against Zambia. The Super Falcons are yet to concede.

Banyana Banyana drew one match and won three – with the last one decided on penalties against Senegal.

South Africa’s Gabriela Salgado, who made her debut in this tournament and scored against the Lionesses of Teranga, said they are up for the challenge.

“We know we’re going into the semi-final game, it’s going to be a challenge, but we are physically and mentally prepared. We know the responsibility we hold, and we just look forward to a good game and hopefully finishing it within the 90 minutes.

“Every game that we play we take our lessons, and we obviously take it into the next game and improve what we learned from that game. Just going into this game, I think the Senegal game of course brought us together as a team, we saw the desire, the hunger in each other’s eyes and it brought us just closer together knowing how we’ll need each other going into the next game,” said Salgado.

She further said she thinks the team is prepared. Salgado added that they are ready and they know what they have to do.

“I think everyone is just on the same page and we are excited for the game,” said Salgado.

The last meeting between the two women’s football giants was in 2022 in the group stages of the same tournament with South Africa winning 2-1, courtesy of goals from Jermaine Seoposenwe and Hilda Magaia. Banyana Banyana went on to win the continental title.

The winner of this semi-final clash between Banyana Banyana and the Super Falcons will face off with the last team standing in the other last four fixtures between hosts Morocco and Ghana.

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Banyana Banyana walloped Mali

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Picture: Banyana Banyana players in celebratory mood

By AGISANANG SCUFF

15 July 2025- Banyana Banyana cruised past Mali in their final Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) group match as the African champions stepped up a gear at the Honneur Stadium in Oujda, Morocco, on Monday. Coach Dr Desiree Ellis’ charges beat the West Africans 4-0 in a comfortable display that will have pleased the South African senior women’s national team coach.

The South Africans were always in control and never looked back after Lebohang Ramalepe opened the scoring in the fourth minute. Captain Refiloe Jane increased the lead when she scored a curling free kick in the 31st minute.

The South Africans continued where they left off in the second half and it came as no surprise when Hildah Magaia scored the third goal in the 60th minute. Second half substitute Ronnel Donnelly completed the rout when she scored the fourth and final goal of the match in the 78th minute to complete a memorable night for the South Africans.

Ellis and her charges now march on to the quarterfinals as they continue the defense of the title they won in Morocco in 2022.

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Dreary Banyana Banyana held to a 1-1 draw

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Picture: Banyana Banyana players against Tanzania/Twitter

By BAKANG MOKOTO

12 July 2025- Dreary Banyana Banyana were held to a 1-1 draw by a 10-player Tanzania in a Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) Group C match played at the Honneur Stadium in Oujda, Morocco, on Friday night. Coach Dr Desiree Ellis’ charges had to come back from a goal down and force a draw after Tanzania went into the lead following the opening goal from Clement Tukumbuke in the 24th minute.

After struggling to find their rhythm in the early exchanges, the South African senior women’s national team eventually clawed their way back and it came as no surprise when Bambanani Mbane found the equalizer following a corner kick in the 70th minute. The Tanzanians finished the match with 10 players after Winfrida Hubert Gerald was shown a red card with the assistance of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) check following her tackle on Linda Motlhalo with 10 minutes remaining.

The South Africans play their final Group C match against Mali on 14 July 2025.

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Banyana Banyana player, Regina Mogolola calls for team effort ahead of WAFCON

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Picture: Banyana Banyana player, Regina Mogolola

By OBAKENG MAJE

2 July 2025- Banyana Banyana midfielder Regina Mogolola believes that only teamwork will help the South African senior women’s national team in their effort to defend the CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title they won back in 2022. Mogolola was speaking after an energy-sapping training session in Casablanca, Morocco, where the Sasol-sponsored African Champions are continuing with their preparations ahead of the tournament that kicks off on Saturday.

“We are feeling good, and we are prepared. We know what it will take to defend our title, and we will have to work as a team – play for one another, support each other, fight for one another. So, teamwork will win the day, unlike in tennis where you are on your own,” said Mogolola.

The WAFCON will take place between 5-26 July 2025 and coach Dr Desiree Ellis’ charges will be based in Oujda.

Mogolola makes a return to the national team setup after an absence of seven years and she is looking forward to the tournament – she won silver in 2018 in Ghana with Banyana Banyana in the same competition.

“It’s nice to come and learn again. I am excited, and I am looking forward to representing the country. I also appreciate the opportunity that I got the call up again, but it’s all about working hard and not giving up when faced with challenges,” she said.

The African Champions will depart Casablanca on Friday and travel to their base camp in Oujda. First up will be a clash against Ghana in the tournament on Monday. They will then tackle Tanzania and Mali on 11 July and 14 July 2025, respectively.

All the Group C matches will be played at the Honneur Stadium in Oudja.

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African champions Banyana learn their fate in WAFCON drawn

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Picture: Banyana Banyana players

By BAKANG MOKOTO

27 November 2024 – African champions Banyana Banyana have learned their fate in next year’s CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations after the draw for the continental tournament was conducted in Sale, Morocco, on Friday night. The tournament will be held in Morocco and the Sasol-sponsored South African senior women’s national team was drawn in Group C where they will face Ghana, Mali and Tanzania.

Banyana Banyana coach, Desiree Ellis said: “It is not going to be easy, past results mean nothing. Now that we know who our opponents are, we can start preparing and getting ready for the WAFCON as African champions.”

Ellis led the South African senior women’s national team to the continental title in 2022 in Morocco and she will be hoping to defend the title in the same country next year.

The tournament was supposed to be played this year, but was postponed to 2025 as it clashed with the Olympic Games held in Paris from 6 July – 11 August 2024. The event will take place between 5 – 26 July 2025 and Banyana Banyana will be gunning for a repeat of their heroics.

Banyana Banyana had assembled in Johannesburg on 25 November 2024, just days after Ellis announced the team to face the Reggae Queens of Jamaica in two away international friendly in the coming days.

The African champions will face the Reggae Girlz in Montego Bay on 29 November 2024 and 2 November 2024 as part of their preparations for the WAFCON.

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