3 days ago
Goalie Swart ready to keep it clean for Banyana in Wafcon defence
Goalkeeper Kaylin Swart of South Africa is expected top play a key role in Banyana's Wafcon defence. Photo: BackpagePix
Image: BackpagePix
Banyana Banyana are set to embark on another historic journey as they prepare to defend their Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title in Morocco.
With just days to go before their opening fixture, Desiree Ellis's side will be looking to build on a remarkable run of recent success. Having claimed their first-ever WAFCON title in 2022 — beating hosts Morocco 2-1 in the final — Banyana have transformed into one of the continent's most formidable teams.
That historic triumph was followed by another milestone in 2023, when they became the first South African senior national side, men or women, to reach the last 16 of a Fifa World Cup. They bowed out after a hard-fought 2–0 defeat to The Netherlands at the 2023 Women's World Cup hosted by Australia and New Zealand.
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Their return to Morocco for this year's continental showpiece presents another chance to add to their growing legacy. They will begin their title defence against Ghana next Monday, a match-up that marks the start of what promises to be another compelling campaign.
Despite their preparations being overshadowed by lingering pay disputes, the quality and experience in the squad will once again see them as one of the favourites in the tournament.
Recent friendly matches against Botswana and Zambia have offered coach Ellis the opportunity to fine-tune her tactics and test the depth of her squad. The positive outcomes from those matches should offer some confidence ahead of the tournament.
One of the key figures in the squad is experienced goalkeeper Kaylin Swart, who was part of both the 2022 WAFCON and 2023 World Cup campaigns.
African champions Banyana Banyana hard at work at training ahead of the WAFCON. Jermaine Seoposenwe arrived and watched her colleagues going through their paces.#LiveTheImpossible @SABC_Sport — Banyana_Banyana (@Banyana_Banyana) June 29, 2025
She believes the team's return to familiar North African territory will work in their favor and the pressure of being defending champions will not get to them.
'Pressure is a privilege, and when our backs are against the wall, that is when we perform,' Swart said, ahead of the start of the tournament.
'There is a little bit of pressure being champions because the title holds a lot of weight. But I know once we start the tournament, that pressure will not get to us.
'It's such great memories in Morocco. We were in Rabat in 2022, and now we're in Casablanca, but yeah, the feeling is the same. We're very excited to be here because it's familiar territory for us, and hopefully all that excitement can come back from 2022, and hopefully we can do it again.
'Now we have got to obviously write a new book, and there's a lot more to be done, but if we can repeat history, that would be great. It's not going to be easy, but yes, 2024 (2025) might just be a really good chapter for us,' she added.
