Picture: Banyana Banyana players during training session
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
27 June 2025 – African champions Banyana Banyana have finally settled in Morocco following a more than 24-hour long journey from Johannesburg that included delayed flights and a lay-over in Ghana. The Sasol-sponsored South African senior women’s national team departed from OR Tambo International Airport on 24 June 2025 and arrived in Morocco on 25 June 2025, to conclude their final preparations ahead of the start of the CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), which is scheduled to be staged from 5-26 July 2025.
Banyana Banyana coach, Dr Desiree Ellis said: “It was a long and tiring trip, but we have arrived and nicely settled in, and we managed to have our first training session. The South Africans are currently in Casablanca for the final leg of preparations and will move to their base camp in Oujda on 3 July 2025.
“This is the first time Banyana Banyana returns to the North African country since they were crowned continental champions in July 2022. It’s a new place where we arrived, but it’s still Morocco. It’s very exciting to be here to finally get started.”
Ellis said there is a big tournament coming up and they have to be ready for it. She further said they are looking forward to the upcoming days to continue with their preparations.
Banyana Banyana opens the defence of their title against Ghana on 7 July with Tanzania next on their radar in 11 July 2025. They will conclude their Group C matches with a fixture against Mali on 14 July.
Honneur Stadium in Oujda will host the group stage matches.
Meanwhile, Ellis announced a squad of 26 players on Monday and will name the final 21 closer to the start of the top women’s football continental championship.
Jermaine Seoposenwe and Kgaelebane Mohlakoana will join the Senior Women’s National team in Morocco from their respective clubs.
The Guardian 