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5 days ago
- General
- IOL News
Banyana Banyana close to being ready for Wafcon defence, says Gamede
Bongeka Gamede is confident that Banyana Banyana will be ready to defend their Women's Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) title after a perfect Tri-Nations series. Banyana were crowned champions of the series after beating Botswana 3–2 in the opener and Zambia 2–0 in the final game. While the results confirmed them as the best team in the mini-tournament, they were not at their best and had to dig deep in both matches. They nearly squandered a 3–0 half-time lead against Botswana and had to leave it late to secure the win over Zambia at Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville. Banyana Banyana emerged as the winners of the #ThreeNations challenge on Tuesday, a tri-nations tournament that also featured Zambia and Botswana.#LiveTheImpossible @SABC_Sport — Banyana_Banyana (@Banyana_Banyana) June 3, 2025 As such, it took standout individual performances to get them across the line. Jermaine Seoposenwe scored a brace in the opener and the winner in the final match. Gamede also made her mark, scoring a stunning goal from a direct set-piece against the Copper Queens, underlining her versatility as a defender-cum-midfielder. Reflecting on the series, the Denmark-based footballer said team unity had played a vital role in helping them win both matches, particularly the encounter against Zambia. 'I would like to congratulate the girls on their performance. We knew their strengths and how to capitalise on them,' Gamede said, to the Sasol media department. 'I think we tried to make sure they didn't attack us as much as they would have liked. But it wasn't an easy game. 'We made mistakes here and there, but we were able to help each other as a team. Going forward, we also supported each other.' 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 ✕ Ad Loading 🏆 ℙ𝕃𝔸𝕐𝔼ℝ 𝕆𝔽 𝕋ℍ𝔼 𝕄𝔸𝕋ℂℍ 🏆 Banyana Banyana defender Lebohang Ramalepe! 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚 🇿🇦 2⃣➖0⃣ 🇿🇲 𝐙𝐚𝐦𝐛𝐢𝐚 🚨 LIVE 📺 SABC Sport | SABC 2 🌐 📱 — SABC Sport (@SABC_Sport) June 3, 2025 The series will prove valuable as Banyana continue their preparations for the continental showpiece, which is set to be held in Morocco from 5 to 26 July. With Botswana and Zambia also set to compete at the tournament, facing them now was a valuable learning experience for coach Desiree Ellis and her team. 'I think our chances of doing well at Wafcon are looking very good,' Gamede explained. 'We've played Malawi, Botswana and now Zambia – all of whom will be at Wafcon. 'So they've given us an idea of what the tournament will be like. From here, we'll continue preparing, and I think we'll be ready for Wafcon.'
TimesLIVE
17-05-2025
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Refiloe Jane returns to Banyana squad for friendlies against Zambia and Botswana
By Midfielder Refiloe Jane will make her return to Banyana Banyana after she was included by coach Desiree Ellis in the squad to face neighbours Zambia and Botswana in a three-nations international series later in the month. The Sasol-sponsored South African senior women's national team will play against Botswana on May 28 and then Botswana and Zambia will face off against each other May 31. Then Banyana will wrap up the friendly series against Zambia on June 3. The matches are part of Banyana's preparations for the defense of their Women's Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) title as the countdown continues to the tournament to be hosted in Morocco between July 5 and 26. 'We are the highest ranked team in the Cosafa region, but I don't think that means anything,' Ellis. Banyana Banyana squad to face Botswana and Zambia 26 May - 3 June 2025. #LiveTheImpossible @SABC_Sport — Banyana_Banyana (@Banyana_Banyana) May 16, 2025 'Being Wafcon defending champions carries a bit of weight on your back with everybody wanting to play and beat you. But we also know that it's a test not just for us but for them. 'We're all going to the Wafcon. Botswana got to the quarterfinals, Zambia got to the semifinals the last time. So, the test is for us but just so much as it is for them, and I think the physicality that both of them are going to bring is something we sometimes struggle with.' Ellis said they must they must show control of matches and be good defensively. 'I think we've got to have more control and this will help us to see where we are with that. Defensively we've got to be sound and obviously at set-pieces we're going to be challenged with the area that they have. 'The speed of both teams' attack that they have, we've got to be able to then organise our defensive shape better because that is what's going to happen at Wafcon.' Key striker Thembi Kgatlana has not been selected to this camp and Ellis explained she has club commitments that would have made it difficult for her to travel from North America and still be fresh enough for the two friendlies. All matches will be played at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville and kick off is at 3pm.
