Banyana adjusting to sweltering conditions in Morocco
South Africa begin the defence of the title they won in 2022 with a tough clash against the Black Queens on Monday at the Stade d'Honneur d'Oujda, where they will be looking for a confidence-boosting start.
Coach Desiree Ellis's charges are in tough Group C with Ghana, Tanzania and Mali.
'It's very hot here but we are adjusting,' she said.
'You can complain but it doesn't change the weather, so we are just adjusting and doing our best to get used to the conditions because during the tournament we will face the same heat.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Daily Maverick
7 hours ago
- Daily Maverick
Amid off-field uncertainty, Banyana Banyana lean on team spirit to defend Wafcon crown
South Africa face off against Ghana in their Women's Africa Cup of Nations opener on Monday. South Africa's Women's Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) title defence gets under way on Monday, 7 July 2025, against Ghana at the Honneur Stadium in Morocco. Banyana Banyana have had a turbulent build-up to the tournament that includes player strikes due to fees not being paid, head coach Desiree Ellis heading up the role without a permanent contract, and long-term sponsor Sasol's deal with the team ending as recently as the end of last month. Despite the background turmoil, the side is confident of defending their continental crown. 'We are feeling good, and we are prepared,' defender Regina Mogolola said. '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. 'Teamwork will win the day, unlike in tennis where you are on your own.' It's not the first time that the team had a sit-in before a major tournament. Before the 2023 Fifa World Cup, which was jointly hosted by Australia and New Zealand, the team protested against the South African Football Association's (Safa) handling of the preparation. Despite this, the team united and had their best-ever showing at the tournament — having been knocked out at the round of 16. They will need a similar coming together in order to overcome the challenges that await them in Morocco, as they did three years ago when they were crowned champions of Africa for the first time. Experienced core Mogolola comes back into the national fold after a seven-year hiatus. She was part of the Banyana Banyana side that finished as runners-up to Nigeria in 2018. Banyana Banyana won't have the reliable Thembi Kgatlana to rely on on the goalscoring front after the attacker withdrew from the side, citing personal reasons. Kgatlana has been integral in Banyana's previous tournament showings. The forward was instrumental in South Africa's previous Wafcon success, as well as scoring the decisive extra-time goal in South Africa's 3-2 group stage win over Italy to see the country reach the knockout stage of a World Cup for the first time, in 2023. 'It's not easy not having Thembi here because she is a major force within the squad, but I think with what she's left behind we're going to do everything in our power to make her proud,' said Banyana goalkeeper Kaylin Swart. Swart forms part of an experienced core that Ellis will rely on in the absence of Kgatlana, which includes captain Refiloe Jane, Jermaine Seoposenwe, Andile Dlamini, Hildah Magaia and Linda Motlhalo. Black Queens Apart from Ghana, South Africa's opponents in Group C include Tanzania and Mali. However, Banyana's first match is expected to be their most challenging. Ghana have finished as runners-up at Wafcon on three occasions, and finished third three times too, the most recent being in 2016. Mali, in comparison, have only reached the final four once, in 2018, and it's only the second time Tanzania have ever qualified for Wafcon. The Black Queens' most recent form has been up and down, winning three of their last seven friendly matches since April, with their most recent fixture being a 3-1 walloping at the hands of nine-time Wafcon champions Nigeria. Since April they have also suffered defeats to Senegal and Ivory Coast. 'The Black Queens have represented Ghana in a number of tournaments in recent times. In terms of women's football, the Black Queens are the biggest movers in terms of the Fifa rankings when it comes to Africa,' Tophic Kadir Sienu, senior manager in charge of communications at the Ghana FA, said recently. 'And so we are all hoping that when the African Cup starts, the Black Queens will be able to lift the flag of Ghana high, and we are very confident considering how they are preparing so far.' South Africa are 54th on the Fifa rankings, with Nigeria the only African side ahead of them, at 36th. Ghana are the closest in terms of their Group C opponents, at 66th. DM

The Star
7 hours ago
- The Star
Robyn Moodaly hails WAFCON win as career best, urges Banyana to defend title
As the excitement builds for the Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) 2025, former Banyana Banyana midfielder Robyn Moodaly says winning the 2022 WAFCON was the best moment of her career and has urged Banyana to give it their all to defend the title. In an exclusive interview with Showmax Premier League, Moodaly shared her profound message for the team: "Trust in yourselves and each other. Stick together no matter what happens. Take it one game at a time, and don't let the pressure or expectations get in the way of enjoying the moment. And remember why you're there, to represent the country with pride and to make history again." Moodaly, an experienced midfielder who featured in two Olympic Games and a Women's World Cup, and was a vital part of the victorious 2022 WAFCON squad, vividly recalled that historic triumph. "It was honestly incredible. Being part of that squad and making history for South Africa was something I'll never forget. There was such a strong sense of unity, pride, and belief in the team. From the first game to the final whistle, you could feel how much it meant to everyone – the players, the staff, the supporters back home. It was emotional and special in every way." She further emphasised the personal significance of that win. "Definitely one of the best, if not the best [moment of my career].Winning a continental title for your country doesn't happen often, and to be part of the group that brought it home for the first time was something I'll always be proud of. Personally, it was a huge highlight and a moment I'll cherish forever." Moodaly also shed light on the demanding nature of the tournament itself. It's very tough. You're playing against the best in Africa, and every match is physically and mentally demanding. The schedule is tight, there's travel between games, and the pressure is always there to perform and to represent your country well. You have to stay focused and manage your recovery properly to be ready for each game." Addressing the pressure on Banyana as defending champions, she affirmed, "Yes, for sure. When you're defending champions, there's always extra pressure because everyone wants to beat you. 'Expectations are higher from the outside too. But I also think that pressure can be a positive and Banyana adapt well to pressure, it shows the standard the team has set and the belief that they can do it again." On the current squad's capabilities, Moodaly is confident. "There's a lot of quality in the squad, and many players have big tournament experience now. If they stay focused, united and play to their strengths, they're definitely capable of going all the way again." Showmax Premier League this week kicked off a thrilling month of women's football starting with the UEFA Women's EURO's on Wednesday, with WAFCON set to follow this weekend. This monumental line-up promises to showcase the pinnacle of women's football talent directly to screens across the continent. The spotlight, however, will be trained on the Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), where Banyana Banyana are poised to defend their coveted title. The tournament officially kicks off on 5 July, with Banyana Banyana beginning their championship defence on 7 July in a mouthwatering clash against Ghana. Under the expert guidance of Desiree Ellis, Banyana Banyana made history in 2022 by lifting the CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations trophy for the first time. With five previous runner-up finishes, they enter this year's competition as strong favourites to once again hoist the silverware. Banyana Banyana's WAFCON group stage fixtures: Banyana Banyana v Ghana: Monday, 7 July: 18:00 (Live on Showmax Premier League & SuperSport) Tanzania v Banyana Banyana: Friday, 11 July: 21:00 (Live on Showmax Premier League & SuperSport) Banyana Banyana v Mali: Monday, 14 July: 21:00 (Live on Showmax Premier League & SuperSport)

The Herald
8 hours ago
- The Herald
Lotus Challenge to add spice to Scribante Race Day
The Lotus Challenge Racing SA Series, based in Gauteng, will have their second away race of the season when they join Algoa Motorsport Club at Aldo Scribante Raceway for their regional and club championship event this weekend. After already having had three rounds of their series at Redstar Raceway near Delmas, one at Zwartkops near Pretoria and one a Dezzi Raceway near Port Shepstone in KZN, round six will see them in action at Scribante. The 2.48km circuit is ideally situated for the lightweight Lotus cars with its tight technical stretches that ensure that the racing is close among the 15-strong field that is divided into two different classes, class B and the Locost class. Having secured the sponsorship of Dunlop and ATS Motorsport Supplies, the Lotus Challenge Series, which was started in 1996, continues to flourish and has had 311 different drivers taking part since its inception. With the season at the halfway stage now, Jeff Gable has a healthy 62-point lead in the Class B championship standings with JP Nortje in second place and David Jermy a further 9 points adrift. Nick Hodgson is the runaway leader in the Locost Class, enjoying a massive 73-point lead over Sean Hepburn in second, with Andy Fulton 19 points off in third. Saturday's racing action will see the Lotus series taking part in three 8-lap heats, and hopefully the weather gods will be kind to the competitors in their open cockpits. With rain forecast for most of the weekend, spectators can watch from the comfort of their vehicles parked around the circuit and listen to the live commentary on their radios. Included in the busy race schedule on Saturday is round four of the Algoa Motorsport Club championship that includes modified saloons, Advance Horizon Coastal Challenge for historic, classic, retro cars, as well as street and fine cars, CBR 150/250 motorcycles and the open motorcycle class. Qualifying is scheduled to start at 8.15am on Saturday with the first race at 10.15am and the race day will end with the Bronscor Ingco 45-Minute Endurance race that continues to grow in popularity, with the winner of the index-of-performance during the endurance race winning an Ingco 400NM impact gun. Upcoming events July 5: Algoa Motorsport Club – Main Circuit racing round 4; Dirt Oval Racing at Victory Raceway, club championship round 6 July 18: National Extreme Festival, East London Grand Prix Circuit July 19: Dirt Oval racing at PEOTR, Club Championship round 6 July 24-26: Algoa National Rally in Uitenhage & Longmore Forest July 26: Rhino Night Relay Enduro at Rover Motorcycle Club July 27: British Classics Show Day at EP Veteran Car Club. The Herald