Banyana coach Des Ellis lauds ‘Noxy' Cesane's 50th cap
Banyana kicked off their campaign at Wafcon with a positive result, thanks to Noxolo Cesane.
The game against Ghana was a big milestone for Cesane.
A win against Tanzania will seal Banyana's qualification to the knockout stage.
Banyana Banyana attacker Noxolo Cesane earned her 50th international cap for the senior national women's team when the defending champions began their TotalEnergies Women's Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) campaign with a 2–0 win over Ghana on Monday in Morocco.
At 25, Cesane's 50 appearances are a testament to her rapid rise since her Banyana debut in 2019.
50 caps for Noxolo Cesane with Banyana Banyana. 📋
History. 🙌 #TotalEnergiesWAFCON2024 pic.twitter.com/wyT4p7yAda
— CAF Women's Football (@CAFwomen) July 7, 2025
She won the penalty which helped SA claim all three points to top Group C, which also has Mali and Tanzania.
Said head coach Desiree Ellis of her charge: 'Noxy came into this team in 2019 at the Cosafa Cup and was a revelation.'
In 2022 [at the Wafcon also in Morocco], especially in the first match against Nigeria, she had a fantastic game. Today again, she showed her true qualities and is well deserving of her 50th cap.
Desiree Ellis
Cesane, who plays for Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies, has since cemented her place in the Banyana squad, becoming one of the most trusted players in Ellis's midfield.
Fast facts
Cesane scored four goals for Banyana and contributed two assists during the triumphant Wafcon 2022 campaign.
Her 50th cap places her alongside goalkeeper Kaylin Swart in the '50-cap club'.
However, Cesane and Swart are still some way off the pace to join a special 100 caps club, whose members include Janine van Wyk, JerNoko Matlou, Portia Modise, Refiloe Jane, Jermaine Seoposenwe and Lebogang Ramalepe.
While the spotlight was on Cesane's milestone, Banyana delivered a crucial result on the field.
Despite a slow start, the defending champions grew into the game and opened the scoring through Linda Motlhalo, who converted a video assistant referee-awarded penalty after Cesane was fouled in the box.
Moments later, Seoposenwe made it 2-0, finishing off a clever through ball from veteran defender Ramalepe.
Banyana weathered a strong second-half surge from Ghana, who hit the crossbar multiple times. SA held firm to secure the clean sheet and victory.
While Ellis has introduced fresh faces from the Hollywoodbets Super League, she continues to rely on a core group of experienced players, especially in major tournaments.
Tried and tested
Banyana's starting 11 against Ghana featured several veterans of the 2022 Wafcon-winning squad.
The balance between youth and experience could prove vital as SA look to defend their continental crown.
Next up, Banyana will face Tanzania on Friday, 11 July.
The Tanzanians are coming off a 1–0 defeat to Mali and sit third in the group.
Victory for Banyana will secure a quarter-final place and keep their title defence on track.
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