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TimesLIVE
06-07-2025
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Ellis wants Banyana to set tone with win over Ghana in Wafcon opener
Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis is confident all her players are now focused on defending the Women's Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, where a tournament victory will double the $500,000 (R8.8m) South Africa received in 2022. Speaking to TimesLIVE from Morocco, Ellis said her defending champions want to ensure they set the tone for the tournament buy winning their first match against Ghana at the Honor Stadium in Oujda on Monday (8pm SA time). Mali and Tanzania complete the four teams in Banyana's group at the 12-team tournament that has been won by Nigeria nine times, Equatorial Guinea twice and South Africa once. There were fears the Banyana players would not be in a good frame of mind by the time they face Ghana after they staged a protest just after arriving in Morocco last week, complaining about the nonpayment of their bonuses from previous camps. Hard work and determination can land you a seat on this bus…it's really up to you and how badly you want to #LiveTheImpossible. #SasolinSport #BanyanaBanyana — Sasol in Sport (@SasolinSport) June 30, 2025 Ellis said that has all been resolved the and players' sole focus now is on the match against the Black Queens, who have finish as runners-up three times (in 1998, 2002 and 2006) in the previous 12 tournaments. 'The mood is really good, and we're focused on the task ahead, which is the first match against Ghana,' Ellis said. 'Our training sessions have gone well along with the opposition analysis we have done. 'Ghana have been a powerhouse of women's football. After missing the 2022 edition they are back with a new coach [Swede Kim Björkegren] who has been working with them for a while now. They have shown with their recent games they are back to challenge.' The Banyana coach, who steered Banyana to the title in 2022, also in Morocco, said it is always important to win the first game at a Wafcon. Cava the pin point distribution…aich Sticks 🔥 #SasolinSport #LiveTheImpossible #BanyanaBanyana — Sasol in Sport (@SasolinSport) July 1, 2025 'Of course, getting a positive result is always key and it sets the tone for the rest of the tournament as we've seen with our good starts in 2018 and 2022.' There were concerns about the fitness of forward Hildah Magaia, who will be one of the key players in attack for Banyana in the absence of star striker Thembi Kgatlana, who is not with Banyana in Morocco after her request to be excused. Magaia is expected to be paired with equally hugely experienced Jermaine Seoposenwe up frton. Ellis hopes by the time Banyana meet Ghana, Magaia, who scored a brace when Banyana beat Morocco 2-1 in the 2022 final, will be fit to start. 'Hildah has improved with every training session and we still have a few more sessions before the Ghana game. Otherwise, we have no concerns, and we have a few trainings before we start our campaign,' Ellis said. The 2025 Wafcon start with hosts Morocco being held to a 2-2 draw by Zambia in Rabat on Saturday night.
IOL News
23-06-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Refiloe Jane leads Banyana's focused bid to defend WAFCON Title
Refiloe Jane and Linda Motlhalo during the Banyana Banyana Training at UJ Sports Grounds. | BackpagePix Image: Sydney Mahlangu Banyana Banyana captain Refiloe Jane says South Africa's senior women's national team is fully focused on one goal as they prepare to travel to Morocco for the 2025 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) — defending the continental crown they claimed in 2022. The reigning champions will begin their title defence in Group C, with their opening match scheduled for Monday, 7 July against Ghana at the Honneur Stadium in Oujda. The northern Moroccan city will serve as the team's base for the group stages of the competition, which runs from 5 to 26 July. Having led the side to its historic maiden title three years ago, Jane insists the mission remains unchanged — regardless of changes in personnel. The fact that Sasol Banyana Banyana are defending champs is not lost of Juice ahead of WAFCON.#SasolinSport#LiveTheImpossible#BanyanaBanyana — Sasol in Sport (@SasolinSport) June 22, 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 Next Stay Close ✕ 'I don't think it's going to be different — the objective is still the same. We have to go out there and defend the title,' she said. 'Whether it's different players, old or new, the motivation is still the same. It's very difficult to win it, but it's even more difficult to retain, and that's the mission of this team.' South Africa's group includes formidable opposition, and Jane warned against any complacency as the team prepares to face some of the best in African women's football. 'The group we're in is a very difficult one. Every team that's in the tournament is going to fight tooth and nail — there are no small or big teams,' she said. One major absentee from the WAFCON-bound squad will be star forward Thembi Kgatlana, who is unavailable for personal reasons.
