Latest news with #AmogelangMotau
IOL News
3 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Banyana Banyana face coaching crossroads ahead of crucial qualifiers
Banyana Banyana co-captain Amogelang Motau (left) said the WAFCON 2024 results is a clear indication of a team in transition. Photo: backpagepix Image: BACKPAGEPIX SAFA find themselves in a race against time as they faces crucial decisions regarding the leadership of the senior national women's football team, Banyana Banyana. With two significant qualifiers for the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) approaching in October, uncertainty looms over the head coach position of Desiree Ellis, who has been at the helm since 2016. WAFCON 2026 will be played in Morocco for the third consecutive time, starting in March next year. Banyana's recent performances, including their historic run at the 2023 Fifa Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, have sparked debates about the team's future path. The pressure is increasing for Safa to either reaffirm their commitment to Ellis or consider a different approach that could bring fresh perspectives and renewed vigour to the squad. The upcoming qualifiers against Democratic Republic of Congo (home and away) are not only about securing a place among the twelve finalists for WAFCON 2026 but also a vital stepping stone towards the prestigious 2027 Fifa Women's World Cup in Brazil. For Banyana, the stakes are as high as they have ever been. The road to the World Cup hinges on their performance in this qualifying round, as the top four nations reaching the semi-finals of the WAFCON will earn the right to represent Africa on football's biggest stage. If Safa appoints a new coach, the squad faces the dual challenge of adjusting to a new coaching philosophy while refining their tactics for their crucial matches against DRC. It will be a significant transition for the team, which has developed under her guidance, achieving milestones including their first WAFCON victory in 2020. On the eve of the team's departure from Morocco, Banyana Banyana co-captain Amogelang Motau provided a candid reflection on the team, saying it is a squad in transition. Motau reflected on the challenges the squad faced and acknowledged the emotional weight of their teammates, Gabriela Salgado (terrible injury) and Jermaine Seoposenwe, who announced her retirement. She said some players need to step up and take the positions of the players who have been instrumental for the team's success in past seasons. Banyana, meanwhile, did have some good news from the recently concluded competition, Refiloe Jane, Karabo Dhlamini and Bambanami Mbane were incuded in the Best XI of the tournament.
Morocco World
14-07-2025
- Sport
- Morocco World
WAFCON 2024: South Africa vs Mali – Preview & Score Prediction
South Africa will face Mali in a Women's Africa Cup of Nations Group D fixture today at the Honneur Stadium in Oujda. Both sides sit at the top of the table with four points from two matches, but South Africa lead the group on goal difference. A win for either team will see them finish as group leaders, while a draw would be enough for South Africa to stay ahead. Kick-off is at 8 p.m. Moroccan time (GMT+1), and fans can catch the action live on beIN Sports, CANAL+, New WorldTV, SuperSport, Azam Media, SABC, Ziggo, BAND, SportTV, and Arena Sport. Banyana Banyana have already secured a quarterfinal spot following other group results. Head coach Dr Desiree Ellis, however, insists they will play for the win. 'We can get a point, but I think to play for a point is very dangerous,' she told SAFA Media. 'We're not that kind of team that will take it out of our hands.' South Africa, the reigning champions, have looked solid so far, conceding just once. Midfielder Amogelang Motau stressed the importance of staying focused. 'The mentality was to take it one game at a time. That is what won us the tournament in 2022,' she said. Mali, meanwhile, remain confident. They beat Tanzania 1-0 and drew 1-1 with Ghana. Coach Mohamed Saloum says they are prepared to take on the champions. 'We know South Africa very well. They are compact. But we shall rely on our quality,' he said. Their last meeting was in 2018, with South Africa winning 2-0. Mali now believe they've grown and are ready to compete. Score Prediction: If you had to put money on it, you'd fancy South Africa to just edge it. Mali won't roll over, but Banyana Banyana's class should shine through. MWN calls it: 2-1 to South Africa. Tags: maliSouth AfricaWAFCONWOmen's Africa Cup of Nations
The Citizen
02-07-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Motau warns Banyana Banyana ahead of WAFCON opener
Banyana will face Ghana in their opening group match on Monday.. Amogelang Motau says Banyana Banyana should tread with caution in the Women's African Cup of Nations (WAFCON). Banyana are in Casablanca, Morocco, to defend the title they won in 2022. The South African national women's team will face Ghana in their opening group match on Monday. ALSO READ: Reported Chiefs target Okon seals move to Hannover 96 Motau says that although Banyana are the defending champions, in truth, they are contenders just like all the other 11 nations that will gather for the North African tournament. 'That's the mentality they're (technical team) trying to instill in us that we come into this tournament just like we came into the last one, we're contenders, we take it one game at a time,' Motau told SAFA media. 'The focus is on ourselves, the analysis team will do the work needed to inform us about the game, but other than that, we're going well,' added Motau, who is also one of the three co-captains in the squad alongside Refiloe Jane and Lebohang Ramalepe. Banyana struggling with heat in Morocco With temperatures hovering above 30 degrees Celsius in Morocco, Motau has admitted that Banyana have been struggling with the heat. 'The mood is becoming great. we've been struggling a little bit with the heat, but I think we're acclimatizing, and everyone is coming into camp, just one player short, but I think we're getting the hang of it. Our rhythm is getting up, even today the session had to be cut a little bit because of the weather, but I think again we're acclimatizing and we're getting there,' added Motau. ALSO READ: Chislett completes Chiefs' transfer Tuesday After the Ghana game, Banyana will meet Tanzania next Friday, before coming up against Mali in the last fixture of the group stages on Monday, 14 July. All South Africa's group stage matches will take place at the Honneur Stadium in Oujda, where Banyana will have their base camp.
The Herald
29-05-2025
- General
- The Herald
Banyana made to sweat by Botswana in Wafcon warm-up friendly
Banyana Banyana started the final phase of their preparations for the 2025 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) in Morocco in July with a 3-2 win over a stubborn Botswana in their Tri-Nations friendly at Lucas Moripe Stadium, Pretoria, on Wednesday. Banyana coach Desiree Ellis started the match as part of the build-up to South Africa's defence of their Wafcon 2022 title with veteran midfielder Refiloe Jane, who made her return to the team for the first time in more than a year after a career-threatening injury. Jane, who stayed on the pitch for 70 minutes until she was replaced by Bongeka Gamede, played closely with Amogelang Motau in the heart of the midfield, where she looked comfortable.
