Latest news with #WomensAfricaCupofNations
The Citizen
11-07-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Banyana held to a draw by Tanzania in WAFCON clash
South Africa coach Desiree Ellis made a couple of changes from the team that won 2-0 against Ghana. Opa Clement Tukumbuke of Tanzania celebrates goal during the 2024 Womens Africa Cup of Nations match against South Africa in Oujda on Friday. Photo: Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix Banyana Banyana came back from a goal down to salvage a 1-1 draw against a 10-woman Tanzania outfit in a Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) clash at Honneur Stadium in Ouja on Friday night. The draw saw Banyana retaining their spot at the top of Group C, level on four points with Mali who played to a 1-1 draw against Ghana in the other group match played earlier on Friday. South Africa coach Desiree Ellis made a couple of changes from the team that won 2-0 against Ghana. Just like the opening game, Banyana didn't start the game well and there were a lot of stray passes and poor decision-making especially in the final third. Tanzania's goal came from a mistake in the middle of the field from the defending champions. Noxolo Cesane received a pass from Karabo Dhlamini and instead of returning the ball to her she tried to make a turn and was dispossessed. She then committed an unnecessary foul and from that resultant free kick captain Opa Tukumbuke put Tanzania in the lead with a header. Jermaine Seoposenwe tried her luck with a long-range shot, but his shot was saved by Najiati Idrisa, who made sure that her side took their slender lead into the half-time break. Ellis made two changes at the start of the second half, taking out Cesane and Kgalebane Mohlakoana and replacing them with Hilda Magaia and Lebohang Ramalepe respectively. Banyana took the game to Tanzania in the second half as they pushed forward in search of the equaliser. Kaylin Swart, who was partly to blame for Tanzania's first goal after coming out of her area and then got caught in no man's land by Tukumbuke's looping header, almost gifted them with the second one in the 57th minute when again she failed to reach the ball, but Dhlamini was there to clear the danger. Fikile Magama came close to finding the equaliser for Banyana in the 68th minute with a long-range shot, but Idrisa did well to parry the ball over the crossbar for a corner kick. From that resultant set piece, Bambanani Mbane netted the equaliser for South Africa with a header. Following a VAR review, Tanzania were reduced to 10 women in the 84th minute after Winifred Gerald was shown a straight red card for a reckless tackle on Linda Motlhalo. Banyana, however, were unable to capitalise on their numerical advantage as Tanzania hanged on to hold them to a draw and get their first point of the tournament.
IOL News
08-07-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Banyana Banyana are following in the footsteps of the 2022 triumph
FLANKED by coach Desiree Ellis, right, and a Caf official, Banyana Banyana midfielder Noxolo Cesane, centre, celebrated her 50th Cap during the Womens Africa Cup of Nations match against Ghana. | BackpagePix Image: BackpagePix BANYANA Banyana are on course to emulate their previous success at the Women's Africa Cup of Nations after starting the ongoing tournament strongly. Banyana beat Ghana 2-0 at the Honneur Stadium in Oujda, Morocco, Monday as they climbed to the top of Group C. The Desiree Ellis-coached team wrapped up the match in the first half, courtesy of Linda Motlhalo's penalty and a close-range finish from Jermaine Seoposenwe. Banyana breathed a heavy sigh of relief after the victory as they arrived at the tournament with the odds stacked against them defending their title. The players had staged a stay-in upon their arrival in Casablanca, citing they were owed money by the South African Football Association (Safa) relating to preparation friendlies. Upon returning to training, they were inadvertently impacted by the expiry of the contract between their main sponsor, Sasol, and Safa. So, amid these challenges, there was little belief from the public and pundits that they could defend their title or even put up a strong fight. Ellis, speaking during the pre-match press conference for the clash against the Black Queens, was adamant that she trusts her team's qualities. Her troops repaid the faith she showed in them by beating Ghana to send a clear statement about their intentions of conquering Africa yet again. Banyana's win also convinced Ellis that they were on the right path to defend their crown, having finished second and first in the last two tournaments after winning the opener. 'We said we wanted a great start (and we got it). It was proven in 2018 and 2022 that getting off to a great start in the tournament (takes you far),' Ellis explained. 'If you don't, you'll be on the backfoot every time, and you'll look in the opposite direction and start taking out the calculators. 'But if you get a good result, you actually have your fate in your own hands, and now we cannot only manage the group but also your players as well. 'This tournament is going to be draining, especially considering the weather conditions. So we need to keep our players as fresh as possible for every single game.'
The Citizen
07-07-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Banyana get their WAFCON title defence off to perfect start
South Africa looked a bit disjointed in attack in the early stages of the match. Linda Motlhalo of South Africa (left) celebrates goal. during the 2024 Womens Africa Cup of Nations match against Ghana at Honneur Stadium in Oujda on Monday. Photo: Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix Banyana Banyana got their Women's Africa Cup of Nations {WAFCON) title defence to a perfect start with a convincing 2-0 win over Ghana at the Honneur Stadium in Oujda on Monday. First half goals from Linda Motlhalo and Jermaine Seoposenwe took the defending champions to the top of Group C. With most Ghana players playing in the WAFCON for the first time and new coach Kim Lars Björkegren also leading them for the first time in a major tournament, the Black Queens were the underdogs in this encounter. South Africa looked a bit disjointed in attack in the early stages of the match and they lost a lot of balls in the middle in the first 25 minutes of the match. Dorris Obuaduwaa wasted a good chance to put Ghana in the lead in the 22nd minute when he was sent through on goal, but his tame shot failed to trouble goalkeeper Andile Dlamini and she was able to make a routine save. Ghana were to pay for this miss when Banyana were awarded a penalty for a foul on Noxolo Cesane inside the box in the 27th minute. Motlhalo gave South Africa the lead sending Cynthia Komlan the wrong way from the resultant spot kick. The goal seemed to inject some energy into the defending champions and they continued to pile on the pressure on Ghana. They were rewarded for their consistent attacks in the 33' minute when Lebohang Ramalepe found Seoposenwe with a well weighted pass and she beat Komlan with a first-time shot. Ghana looked rattled by the quick two goals from South Africa, but they managed to regain their rhythm and they launched attacks of their own. Grace Asantewaa drew a good save from Dlamini in the 41st minute from long range and the Banyana goalkeeper did well to parry the ball away for a corner kick to make sure that Banyana took their 2-0 lead into the half-time break. Ghana started the second half the stronger of the sides and were unlucky not to reduce South Africa's lead just after the hour mark when Kusi Alice hit the crossbar with a long-range shot. Two minutes later Seoposenwe wasted a good chance to grab her brace and put the game beyond Ghana's reach when he found herself in a one-on-one situation with the goalkeeper, but she shot wide of goal.
IOL News
02-07-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
No Kgatlana, seniors will have to carry Banyana Banyana WAFCON hopes in Morocco
Desiree Ellis Banyana coach Desiree Ellis will have to do without a few key players from the last tournament. Photo: AFP Image: AFP South Africa's title defence begins under different conditions, but the ambition remains the same: to return home with the Women's Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) trophy. Banyana Banyana will once again be tested by the best on the continent, and with talisman Thembi Kgatlana not part of the squad, Desiree Ellis will be banking on a trusted core to carry the load. It's a squad built on continuity — with 17 players returning from the 2022 triumph — but the pressure is heavier, and the margins thinner. Five players, in particular, will be central to whether Banyana can go all the way. Refiloe Jane – Captain, controller & conductor One of three co-captains named by Ellis, Jane remains the metronome in midfield. Her intelligence and positional awareness make her more than just a playmaker — she's a tactical compass. After missing last year's World Cup through injury, the 31-year-old returns with a point to prove and a title to defend. When Banyana need to settle, build or recover, Jane is the one they'll look to. Her leadership and ability to read the game will be vital in navigating the group stages and beyond. Kaylin Swart – The safe hands in goal Goalkeeper Kaylin Swart of South Africa is expected top play a key role in Banyana's Wafcon defence. Photo: BackpagePix Image: BackpagePix While both Swart and Andile Dlamini were named in the final squad, it's the JVW goalkeeper who takes over as first-choice between the sticks this time around. Swart has quietly worked her way into the No.1 jersey and now carries the weight of expectation heading into Morocco. She'll be tasked with marshalling the defence and maintaining calm in high-pressure moments. Her shot-stopping, command in the air, and distribution have improved significantly — and in a tournament where one mistake can end a campaign, Swart's form could prove decisive. Linda Motlhalo – The creative key Banyana Banyana's Linda Maserame Motlhalo scores a penalty during their 2022 Womens Africa Cup of Nations semi-final match against Zambia in Casablanca FILE - Banyana Banyana's Linda Maserame Motlhalo scores a penalty during their 2022 Womens Africa Cup of Nations semi-final match against Zambia in Casablanca. Photo: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix Image: Backpagepix Motlhalo is the one who adds rhythm and flair to Banyana's attack. Dubbed the 'Randfontein Ronaldinho', her ability to operate between the lines and deliver that final pass makes her irreplaceable. She was a standout in Morocco over two years ago, and with Kgatlana absent, there'll be even more on her shoulders this time around. If South Africa are going to create and convert chances, Motlhalo will almost certainly be involved. Whether from open play or set-pieces, she brings the x-factor. Hildah Magaia – The Main Goal Threat Banyana Banyana striker Hildah Magaia in action against Italy at the last world cup. Picture: Marty MELVILLE / AFP Image: AFP She scored the goals that sealed South Africa's first-ever WAFCON crown. Now, with Kgatlana unavailable, Magaia becomes the team's central goal threat. The forward, who plies her trade in Mexico with Club Tijuana, has shown an ability to rise in big moments — and Ellis will need her to do it again. Magaia thrives on movement, precision, and timing. If she finds early rhythm, she could end the tournament among the top scorers. Bongeka Gamede – The Shield and Stabiliser Bongeka Gamede of Banyana believes the women's senior national team are on the right track to defend their Wafcon title. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpagepix
