Banyana Banyana out to tame Senegal in WAFCON quarter-final
Image: BackpagePIX
BANYANA Banyana head into their CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) quarter-final against Senegal with momentum and a semi-final spot within reach, following a resounding 4-0 victory over Mali in their final Group C match.
South Africa topped the group with seven points — beginning their campaign with a 2-0 win over Ghana, followed by a frustrating 1-1 draw against Tanzania.
They closed off the group phase in style, dismantling Mali to book a last-eight tie against a rugged and physical Senegal outfit that finished second in Group B.
With Thembi Kgatlana unavailable for the tournament, much of the attacking burden has fallen on the shoulders of Jermaine Seoposenwe, who responded with a commanding performance and a goal in the Mali clash.
Her work rate and intelligent movement in the final third remain vital to South Africa's hopes of progressing.
BANYANA BANYANA TO THE WORLD 🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🔥🔥🔥🔥🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦 No DNA 🧬 just RSA pic.twitter.com/Peq5mjdn4L — Auntie (@Auntydiski) July 14, 2025
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Advertisement
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Next
Stay
Close ✕
Midfield maestro Amogelang Motau has also grown into the tournament, controlling the tempo of games and acting as the link between defence and attack. Motau's range of passing and spatial awareness could be key in breaking down Senegal's deep defensive lines.
Senegal, known for their physicality and pace on the counter, will pose a serious threat. Hapsatou Diallo has been a standout figure for the West Africans, capable of driving forward with power and testing defenders with her pace.
South Africa's central defensive duo of Bambanani Mbane and Tiisetso Makhubela will need to be alert and disciplined throughout.
Defensively, Banyana have conceded just once in the tournament and will be buoyed by the likely return of Andile Dlamini in goal. The experienced shot-stopper is expected to reclaim the gloves after Kaylin Swart's uncertain showing against Tanzania earlier in the group stage.
The stakes couldn't be higher. Not only is a place in the semi-finals up for grabs, but the winner will also secure qualification to the 2026 FIFA Women's World Cup.
From humble beginnings to making African football history
Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis shares her inspiring journey 👇#HereForHer | #TotalEnergiesWAFCON2024 pic.twitter.com/xdz2S8bgVh — SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) July 17, 2025
The pressure is immense, but so is the opportunity for this generation of South African players to carve out their legacy.
With continental giants like Nigeria and Morocco still in the picture, South Africa's path to a potential second WAFCON title won't be easy.
But their ability to respond under pressure, as seen in the final group game, shows they are finding form at the right time.
Senegal's journey to the quarter-finals included a win over Algeria and a draw with hosts Morocco, underlining their ability to compete against established sides. Their compact structure and direct approach make them a dangerous knockout opponent.
The match will test South Africa's discipline, tactical maturity and ability to seize chances in front of goal. Their strength in midfield and experienced backline offer hope, but clinical finishing will be decisive.
As the knockout rounds begin, Banyana Banyana know that the margin for error is thin. But with momentum on their side and a semi-final spot at stake, they'll look to rise to the challenge and edge one step closer to continental glory.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
9 hours ago
- IOL News
Richards Bay FC lift KZN Premier's Cup title in homecoming triumph
Wandile Ngema of Richards Bay is challenged by Sibusiso Sibeko of Durban City during the KZN Premiers Cup final at Umhlathuze Sports Complex in Richards Bay on SUnday. Photo: BackpagePix Image: Backpagepix Richards Bay FC marked the official reopening of the refurbished Umhlathuze Sports Complex in style, clinching the 2025 KZN Premier's Cup title with a narrow 1-0 win over Durban City in Sunday's final. It was a historic first for the Natal Rich Boyz, who have never lifted the pre-season trophy before and fittingly did so on home soil, signalling their intent ahead of the new Betway Premiership campaign. The two-day tournament not only served as a curtain-raiser to the upcoming season but also celebrated the revamped facilities in northern KwaZulu-Natal, which the Bay will now call home throughout 2025/26. Their path to glory included overcoming Midlands in the semi-final, before seeing off a determined Durban City side who had earlier stunned AmaZulu in dramatic fashion. Usuthu were knocked out in agonising fashion, conceding a late goal to lose 3-2 in an end-to-end semi-final that could have gone either way. Despite the result, assistant coach Siboniso Vilakazi was content with the side's progress. 'From our side, we're very excited by what we've seen, especially from the youngsters. We wanted to play more than one game so that every player gets an opportunity to play,' Vilakazi said. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ He added that the tournament was vital preparation ahead of their MTN8 quarter-final: 'We're working towards our MTN8 match next week as well as the start of the new season. "We have a way forward with a lot of players having left the club, some returning from loan, and others arriving. So for us, this was a successful experience and we're pleased with what we've done here.' Arrows, meanwhile, were bundled out early after a 3-2 quarter-final defeat to AmaZulu in a fiercely contested derby. Despite the result, assistant coach Musa Bilankulu praised the application of his players, particularly the new recruits adapting to their tactical approach. 'In terms of our preparations for the game, we expected it to be tough in all areas — on and off the ball. The players stuck to the tactical agreements we had prior to the game and I was even more impressed with the new signings,' said Bilankulu. While the day belonged to Richards Bay, the tournament offered valuable insight into the readiness of KZN's top sides before the competitive action resumes in August. For coach Ronnie Gabriel and his team, lifting silverware on home turf could just be the spark needed for a season to remember.
IOL News
12 hours ago
- IOL News
Mabasa aims for goal improvement as Orlando Pirates prepare for new season
Tshegofatso Mabasa is ready to embrace the demands of the new season, relying on the strong sense of brotherhood within the Orlando Pirates squad to achieve success. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpagepix The passage of time has taught Tshegofatso Mabasa to embrace pressure and brotherhood, so that's why he's focused on helping Orlando Pirates do well next season. Mabasa scored fifteen goals in 48 games last season, and that was an average return after he netted nineteen goals in 33 matches the season before. So, as the new season beckons, Mabasa will be eager to improve his numbers upfront by contributing to as many goals as he possibly can for the team. However, the 28-year-old admits that he's not fazed by the responsibility as it's part and parcel of the job. 'The older I get, the less worried I am about pressure,' the striker said during the premiere of Pirates' docu-series Giants, last week. 'You can't perform well without pressure.' Just 2 days to go until Giants hit your screens ☠️ 📆 Sunday, 27 July 📺 21:00 on SuperSport & Mzansi Magic ⚫⚪🔴⭐#OrlandoPirates#OnceAlways#giantsondstv — Orlando Pirates (@orlandopirates) July 25, 2025 Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Being able to handle pressure hasn't come naturally for Mabasa. He has to feed off the support of his teammates and technical team as well. As such, when he went through a rough patch last season, resulting in him losing his place in the starting berth, it was his replacement, Evidence Makgopa, who offered him more support. So, that's why Mabasa doesn't look at the rest of the strikers at Pirates as his direct competitors, but rather as brothers. 'One thing about us is that there's healthy competition. You can actually see when we are doing finishing drills after training, the amount of support and love we share (is there),' he said. 'Take Evidence, for example, he's one person that knows almost everything that I've to deal with last season. Yet that time he was playing ahead of me. 'He supported me, and was there to try and lift me up. He'll be the first one to areye ngwana (let's go, kid). So, that's the sort of thing. I'd do the same thing for him as well. 'So that shows the relationship we have in the team. I think when 'Radio' (Boitumelo Radiopane) scored his first goal, a penalty, everyone ran to him, including myself.' The camaraderie within the Pirates teams runs in the entire group as the new players have quickly fitted in like a glove as well, following an exclusive tour of Spain. 'I think the trip to Spain gave us a chance to integrate them, and maybe away from all the noise in the country at that time,' said Mabasa of the adaptation of the new players. 'For us to be away, and be given that opportunity, I think it worked well because you can see how they performed even in the friendly games. 'Look at (Sipho) Mbule and (Oswin) Appollis' performances in the friendlies. It's just now for them to come back home, and do it here. We believe in them and they have our support.' Mabasa and Co have new coach Abdeslam Ouaddou who has to support them and be supported as well. Ouaddou's job is cut out for him as he has to make the team tick on the field, following the arrival of eleven new players, while getting results as well. The Moroccan-born coach replaces Jose Riveiro who won five trophies and bagged three successive runners-up spots in the league during his three-year reign. Mabasa, though, believes that the former Fulham defender will succeed at the club as he hasn't done much to change the foundation that has been built by his predecessor. 'I have noticed that he's a demanding coach, but he loves his players at the same time,' said Mabasa of his impression about Ouaddou. 'He's encouraging, and quite similar to coach Riveiro. There's not a lot that coach Ouaddou is trying to change – it's probably about defending set-pieces and dealing with transition. 'He's just trying to improve on the areas that we lacked last season, and we feel that's mostly from set-pieces, especially looking at the game we lost against Pyramids.' The camaraderie within the Pirates team runs in the entire group as the new players have quickly fitted in like a glove as well, following an exclusive tour of Spain. 'I think the trip to Spain gave us a chance to integrate them, and maybe away from all the noise in the country at that time,' said Mabsa of the adaptation of the new players. 'For us to be away, and be given that opportunity, I think it worked well because you can see how they performed even in the friendly games. 'Look at (Sipho) Mbule and (Osowin) Appollis' performances in the friendlies. It's just now for them to come back home, and do it here. We believe in them and they have our support.' Mabasa and Co have new coach Abdeslam Ouaddou who has to support them and be supported as well. Ouaddou's job is cut out for him as he has to make the team tick on the field, following the arrival of 11 new players, while getting results as well. The Moroccan born coach replaces Jose Riveiro who won five trophies and bagged three successive runners-up spots in the league during his three year reign. Mabasa, though, believes that the former Fulham defender will succeed at the club as he hasn't done much to change the foundation that has been built by his predecessor. 'I have noticed that he's a demanding coach, but he loves his players at the same time,' said Mabasa of his impression about Ouaddou. 'He's encouraging, and quite similar to coach Riveiro. There's not a lot that coach Ouaddou is trying to change - it's probably about defending setpieces and dealing with transition. 'He's just trying to improve on the areas that we lacked last season, and we feel that's mostly from set-pieces, especially looking at the game we lost against Pyramids.'
eNCA
13 hours ago
- eNCA
Nigeria celebrates women's 'spectacular' win in Africa Cup
Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu led the football-mad nation in celebrating the women's squad after a stunning comeback to win a record-extending Women's Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. The 3-2 victory against hosts Morocco in Rabat confirmed the west Africans as the queens of women's football in Africa as they pulled off a 10th title in 13 editions. Tinubu said the team's "spectacular performance... exemplifies the determination that defines the Nigerian spirit". The Super Falcons staged a remarkable comeback from being two goals down to beat Morocco on Saturday night. "You have lifted our spirits. You are a pride to your generation," Tinubu told the team in a post-match video call. "You have achieved the mission the nation dreamed of and prayed for. Nigeria celebrates you." Dubbed Mission X, the WAFCON title was a tonic for many Nigerians enduring the worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation as the government carries out reforms. Muhammad Awwal, a taxi driver who relocated to the northern city of Kano to escape the violence of Borno state, the epicentre of the jihadist insurgency, hailed the Falcons for helping Nigerians to "momentarily forget our common problems". "Everywhere people erupted in celebration after the final whistle. All our problems were drowned in the frenzy of celebration of the spectacular win," Awwal told AFP. "Last night all the problems tormenting us - the high cost of living, banditry and Boko Haram violence - disappeared. "It was a great relief, thanks to the Falcons," he said. Abuja housewife Comfort Zamani, agreed: "Life has not been easy, but at least the girls helped us to forget the hardships even if for only a few hours," she told AFP. "They have given us some hope that we should keep fighting and not give up even when things are rough." In the densely-populated neigbourhoods of Dako, Kabusa and Galadimawa of the Nigerian capital Abuja, loud cheers tore through the late night to celebrate Nigeria's two comeback goals. But the loudest cheers were heard when substitute Jennifer Echegini swept home a free kick with only two minutes left on the clock for the championship-winning goal, and then at full time. Sunday newspaper carried front page headlines such as "Unstoppable Falcons win 10th WAFCON from two goals down" and "Super Falcons rule Africa again". Chairman of the country's supporters club Vincent Okumagba further congratulated the players "for accomplishing 'Mission X'" and for for "not giving up when they were down".
