Banyana Banyana face coaching crossroads ahead of crucial qualifiers
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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.
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