Latest news with #FifaWomen'sWorldCup
The Citizen
21 hours ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Banyana's Seoposenwe aims parting shot at Safa
'Every time we go to a major tournament, we have to fight about money, we have to fight about basically everything,' said the Banyana forward. Retired Banyana Banyana striker Jermaine Seoposenwe has slammed the South African Football Association in explaining her reasons for walking away from the international game at just 31 years of age. ALSO READ: Sundowns' Cardoso hails collective effort Seoposenwe's last game for Banyana came in the third-place play-off penalty shootout loss to Ghana at the Women's Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco on July 25. Banyana players' strikes And she told Robert Marawa on 94.7FM on Wednesday that constantly having to fight with Safa for recognition had worn her down. Banyana's players went on strike ahead of the 2023 Fifa Women's World Cup in a bonus row with Safa. And they again went on striker before the recent WAFCON, over unpaid match appearance fees. 'I just want to love football … don't want to be unhappy … don't want to continue to struggle for things that, as a national team player, you deserve,' said Seoposenwe, who played for Banyana for 15 years, earning over 100 caps. 'I know what I can bring to the national team, but it's best that I walk away. 'The treatment, every time we go to a major tournament, we have to fight about money, we have to fight about basically everything … why do we have to fight?,' she continued. 'Why can't you plan for the year? Fifa gives you a calendar, why don't you budget?' The Banyana forward even said the players were even on strike before her final game against Ghana, and that they went to the stadium late. 'It becomes difficult to do your job to the best of your ability. The country expects us to do these amazing things, but they don't know what's going on behind the scenes.' Despite their success in winning the 2022 Women's Africa Cup of Nations, and reaching the last 16 of the 2023 Fifa Women's World Cup, Banyana have struggled to get new sponsors. 'Not celebrated enough' And it has now been reported by SABC News that Banyana's 16 year partnership with Sasol is coming to an end, after the global chemicals and energy company failed to reach an agreement with Safa. Banyana head coach Desiree Ellis has also reportedly been working without a contract for some time. ALSO READ: Motau calls for patience after Banyana's poor WAFCON showing 'I'm talking about Banyana as a whole, I think this team is not celebrated enough for their achievements. I think with everything that this team has done on the field, there's no sponsors coming in, all of those things. I think they need to be celebrated more, they need more recognition, they deserve more because of that,' Ellis told Radio 2000.
NZ Herald
2 days ago
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Bev Priestman joins Wellington Phoenix women as head coach
As assistant coach, she helped the England Lionesses to the 2019 Fifa Women's World Cup semifinal and has been shortlisted twice for the Fifa's Best Women's Coach award. Bev Priestman: 'Sport has the ability to connect a country.' Photo / Getty Images Phoenix chairman Rob Morrison said the club is thrilled to have made a signing of Priestman's calibre. 'Bev is a world-class coach and a top person, and I have no doubt she will bring her winning mentality to the Wellington Phoenix,' Morrison said. 'This is a step up in an exciting era for the Phoenix women's team. Along with our significant ongoing investment in the women's academy programme, we have doubled our investment in the women's first team and this has resulted in us being able to recruit some great international players. 'Securing Bev as head coach speaks to the ambition we have for this team. 'Signing one of the world's best coaches is a statement for the club, but it is also a statement for the Ninja A-League, reflecting the ambition and investment from APL for the development of the women's game in Australasia.' Priestman is no stranger to the New Zealand Football (NZF). Between 2009 and 2013 she was NZF's head of football. She's also married to former Football Fern Emma Humphries, who currently heads up the Phoenix academy. 'We're really pleased to be able to welcome Bev back to football,' Morrison said. 'We all know she's had a period of time away from the game, but we understand the circumstances and we're really comfortable with this appointment. 'Bev can't wait to get started and we're really happy that she's going to be coaching the Phoenix.' Priestman hopes her Phoenix women's team can capture the imagination of New Zealanders. 'Sport has the ability to connect a country, not just in what you do but more importantly, how you do it. 'There'll be a hunger and a desire there because we know we want to achieve a first for this club and to do that is going to take something special. 'There are a lot of different factors that go into winning, but first and foremost, it's a given when you put on the shirt that you work hard. I'll work harder than ever and the Phoenix will work harder than any other team. 'On the pitch, I want to see players express themselves and be brave. I want players to take risks, play forward, excite the fans and get them out of their seats. 'I think that brings out the best in people and that's all I want to do is get the best out of both players and staff and create something special on the football pitch.'
NZ Herald
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- NZ Herald
Bend It Like Beckham sequel set for 2027, marks 25th anniversary
More than two decades after the original, another Bend It Like Beckham is on the way. Director Gurinder Chadha has confirmed she is working on a sequel to the hit 2002 film, which starred Keira Knightley and Parminder Nagra. It will be released in 2027 in honour of Bend It 's 25th anniversary and also to coincide with the Fifa Women's World Cup in Brazil.
The Star
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Star
Banyana Banyana face coaching crossroads ahead of crucial qualifiers
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.
IOL News
4 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Banyana Banyana face coaching crossroads ahead of crucial qualifiers
Banyana Banyana co-captain Amogelang Motau (left) said the WAFCON 2024 results is a clear indication of a team in transition. Photo: backpagepix Image: BACKPAGEPIX 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.
