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Daily Maverick
21-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Maverick
Banyana Banyana gear up for formidable Nigeria at Wafcon after downing Senegal on penalties
After defeating a stubborn Senegalese side in a penalty shootout, Banyana Banyana will rekindle their rivalry with Nigeria in the semifinals of the Women's Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco on Tuesday, 22 July. Banyana Banyana beat Senegal 4-1 on penalties in their Women's Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) quarterfinal clash. Despite helping the South Africans reach the semifinals, the overall performance the team put on to obtain that result is one Desiree Ellis and her charges will be keen to quickly forget. Following a sluggish and lacklustre 120 minutes of soccer against a Senegal team which was intent on causing the biggest upset of the tournament by ousting the defending African champions, the contest ended 0-0 at Oudja's Honneur Stadium. Despite enjoying a large chunk of ball possession, the South Africans did not create any real chances in those two hours of football. Heroine Dlamini Then up stepped Banyana Banyana goalkeeper Andile 'Sticks' Dlamini. The Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies goalminder shut out two Senegalese spot kicks, while centre back Bambanani Mbane confidently struck the winning penalty for South Africa as they navigated to the semifinals. 'I said the game was not going to be easy, I said it was going to be a difficult game because of the group they were in and how they got out. We didn't expect anything less,' said Ellis. 'The first 15 minutes we showed a bit of nerves, trying to get into the game, but once we got into the game we nullified the threat, their two tall strikers. We dealt very well with their long ball, but sometimes we gave the ball away too cheaply… Senegal has improved from the last time we played them, the coach has done a fantastic job,' the Banyana Banyana coach added. 'We have been practising penalties, and we knew who our kickers were going to be and that's why we made the changes we made. We always knew that Andile could save one or two – she had done it before. This was our first penalty shootout victory at Wafcon; we lost it in 2006 and in 2018 in the final. I don't have enough words to describe this team – the resilience, the courage, the never-say-die attitude, the willingness to fight for each other. No matter what they threw at us we were able to withstand that,' Ellis stated. Super Falcons date In the semifinals awaits a Nigerian team which flexed its muscles in a 5-0 drubbing of a strong Zambia side in their own quarterfinal outing on Friday. It's clear that the South Africans will have to be much sharper than they were against Senegal. On the other hand, Banyana Banyana's clashes against record Wafcon winners Nigeria (with 11 titles) are always epic. The South Africans will need no motivation against their sworn rivals. Especially after the Super Falcons denied Banyana Banyana Olympic Games qualification in 2024. After successfully navigating the earlier rounds of Olympic qualifiers, Banyana Banyana and Nigeria were pitted against each other for the fourth and final round of qualifiers. In that close contest the Super Falcons soared to a slender 1-0 aggregate win over two legs. The result broke South Africa's hearts and condemned Banyana Banyana to a second successive Olympic qualification failure – despite their prominence on the African continent. This result may now be buried deep in Banyana Banyana's subconscious, but it is likely to resurface as fuel when Ellis's team aims for the Super Falcons on Tuesday. Traditionally, the Nigerians have enjoyed the most success in this fierce rivalry, hence their 11 continental titles to Banyana's one. Momentum shift However, over the past five years the tide has shifted slightly in favour of the South Africans. The Olympic qualification result was an anomaly based on recent results and Banyana Banyana will be hoping to prove it as such by doing what they did on the way to winning the 2022 Wafcon – beating Nigeria. Having been based in the city of Oudja since the tournament started, Banyana Banyana will now relocate to Casablanca. This is where the Super Falcons have been based for the tournament, something which Ellis feels will be a minor disadvantage for her team. 'As the technical team, our heads are already on planning for Nigeria. We played 120 minutes and we have a day less than Nigeria to prepare. We'll also have to travel, which takes a lot out of you,' Ellis stated. Banyana Banyana's mammoth match against Nigeria kicks off at 6pm. The other semifinal, between host nation Morocco and the Black Queens of Ghana, takes place three hours later. DM
The Star
18-07-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Former Pirates keeper Brighton Mhlongo & coach Thabo Senong encouraged by scouts on the ground at Gauteng leg of Engen KOC
Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies are among the top performers at the Engend KOC. | Supplied DAY two of the 2025 Engen Knockout Challenge Gauteng leg is underway at Wits Marks Park Sports Ground, and the tournament continues to attract scouts and technical teams from some of the country's top clubs all keeping a close eye on the rising talent on display. Tournament ambassadors Brighton Mhlongo and Coach Thabo Senong expressed how encouraging it is to see experienced football professionals dedicating their time to support and guide the next generation. 'This tournament has always been about giving young players a chance to be seen and supported,' says Mhlongo. 'Seeing people from different clubs here, showing interest and giving these players just a portion of their time it reminds us why platforms like this matter. These are the moments that can shape a player's journey.'
IOL News
18-07-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Former Pirates keeper Brighton Mhlongo & coach Thabo Senong encouraged by scouts on the ground at Gauteng leg of Engen KOC
Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies are among the top performers at the Engend KOC. | Supplied DAY two of the 2025 Engen Knockout Challenge Gauteng leg is underway at Wits Marks Park Sports Ground, and the tournament continues to attract scouts and technical teams from some of the country's top clubs all keeping a close eye on the rising talent on display. Tournament ambassadors Brighton Mhlongo and Coach Thabo Senong expressed how encouraging it is to see experienced football professionals dedicating their time to support and guide the next generation. 'This tournament has always been about giving young players a chance to be seen and supported,' says Mhlongo. 'Seeing people from different clubs here, showing interest and giving these players just a portion of their time it reminds us why platforms like this matter. These are the moments that can shape a player's journey.'
Daily Maverick
17-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Maverick
Banyana Banyana defender Bambanani Mbane as ravenous as ever as she heads Wafcon defence
After recovering from a long-term injury, Bambanani Mbane is once again proving to be a key component in Banyana Banyana's success at a major tournament. She may not be one of the three captains that Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis elected for the ongoing Women's Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon), but defender Bambanani Mbane is definitely one of the leaders within the team fighting for South Africa's pride at the Morocco-hosted tournament. Armband or not, Mbane leads by example every time steps onto the pitch. Whether it is doing her main job of frustrating strikers with her refined and robust defending, or unleashing defence-splitting passes that the best playmakers in the world would be proud of, the 35-year-old hardly has a bad game. Super start At the 2024 Wafcon (it was postponed by a year due to a clash with the Olympic Games) Mbane has already starred and helped South African reach the knockout stage. In Banyana Banyana's opening match of the tournament, in which they beat Ghana 2-0, Mbane was crowned player of the match. During the team's second outing (1-1 against Tanzania) Mbane helped salvage a point with a goal for her country after the Tanzanians had surprised the defending African champions. But what's the secret to Mbane's consistent hunger for success? The Sterkspruit-born Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies player says it is hard work. 'One thing the general public does not know about me is that I work very hard behind the scenes; I even have a personal trainer. I train twice a day, with my club and then with the personal trainer. So, I put in a lot of practice, especially for my passing. What you see on the field is a result of that hard work and practice,' Mbane told Daily Maverick. 'I'm not a person who likes to become comfortable in one position – I want to constantly improve as a player. I never want to hear people say 'Bambanani can't play football anymore'. So, I need to always work hard, especially because age is also not on my side,' the 35-year-old added. Testing period injured The fact that the centre back has returned to the peak of her powers is testament to how much of a mentality monster she is. For months – between August 2023 and March 2024 – Mbane was in limbo as she recovered from potentially career-ending injury. The serious leg injury happened at the 2023 Fifa Women's World Cup. Having helped Banyana Banyana to become the first senior South African soccer team to reach the knockout phase of a World Cup, Mbane went off injured in the first half of South Africa's loss to the Netherlands in round of 16. The road to recovery was testing, especially because the hard-nosed defender is rarely injured. But a healthy support structure aided her recovery. 'I'm grateful for the support I was getting from my wife, family and team. That really helped me bounce back from that setback, even though it was not an easy journey,' Mbane said. Now I am back in the national team too, which is always an honour – because everyone wants to wear the Banyana Banyana jersey. So, when you are called up you must always show what you're capable of – especially because the expectations are so high. I'm really happy to be back,' the defender stated. No retirement plans Not only is she back, but she is back to her best as well. Hence, despite watching some of her fellow Banyana Banyana stalwarts retiring over the last year or so, Mbane is hungry to continue playing at the highest level. Fellow centre backs Janine van Wyk (who is the highest capped player of all-time in Africa) and former African player of year Noko Matlou recently retired. Mexico-based striker Jermaine Seoposenwe – who just happens to be Mbane's roommate at Wafcon – has said she too will retire from national duty when this tournament ends. 'It was a privilege to play alongside players such as Janine and Noko. In fact, they played a huge role towards the player I am today. I used to look up to them and I wanted to emulate their success. So, it was special to play with them,' said Mbane. 'I have no plans to hang up my boots in the national team just yet. I will continue playing until I feel that I can't do it anymore. Everything we do in life is about timing and I feel as though I can still continue playing for the national team. After all, everyone is entitled to their own decisions,' Mbane stated. 'But I'm happy for the retired players. They raised the level of women's football in general, not just at Banyana Banyana,' she added. As one of the veterans of Banyana Banyana, alongside team captains Refiloe Jane, Lebohang Ramalepe and Amogelang Motau, Mbane knows that whenever she dons the Banyana Banyana shirt, it is a bigger cause than just her playing soccer. The bigger picture In addition to inspiring little girls and boys with her sensational displays on the field, Mbane hopes to set up a foundation to help rural athletes reach or surpass the heights she has. 'I'm keen to set up a foundation. Why? Simply because I'm a village girl. So, one day I hope I can unearth another Women's Africa Cup of Nations from Sterkspruit. I'm sure I've inspired many people by just being Bambanani, but I must also actively pull up the people who wish to follow in my footsteps,' she said. With South Africa now in the Wafcon knockouts and awaiting a tough challenge from Senegal, Mbane is cognisant of the threat faced by Banyana Banyana as they look to become just the second country to defend their Wafcon title. Of the three total winners of Wafcon, only 11-time champions Nigeria have managed to retain the trophy. 'Anyone who plays with Banyana Banyana is also intent on beating us. But whoever is selected from this group is capable of playing. We know how important this tournament is as the defending champions. We just need to apply ourselves, even though it won't be easy to defend our title.' Banyana Banyana are next in action on Saturday, 19 July. The winner of their quarterfinal clash against the Senegalese will face the victor in the Nigeria versus Zambia quarterfinal. DM
CAF
08-07-2025
- Sport
- CAF
Woman of the Match: Bambanani Mbane thrives in opener
Published: Monday, 07 July 2025 The mark of a champion is always seen in the way players and teams in general approach tough games. For South African international Bambanani Mbane, taking on Ghana in the TotalEnergies Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) 2024 Group C opener on Monday, was an opportunity to help her team amass maximum points. This is the third consecutive time that South Africa are registering victory in their first game of the continental showpiece that it has become a normal thing now to them. It is that swagger of a team that has mastered the art of winning. From afar, it looks easy but to a player like Mbane, this is a result of hard work, discipline in the little and big things but also attention to detail. Deserved and hungry for more It is no wonder that she was named the Woman of the Match following their 2-0 win over the Black Queens of Ghana – a well deserved award that will not only look good in her trophy cabinet but will remind her of July 7, 2025 as a reward for her excellence. 'I am so glad that we managed to get the three points. It was never going to be an easy game but I am happy with the three points. Going forward, this is going to boost our confidence. We are the defending champions and we knew that it was not going to be easy but I am happy the way we started. Getting these three points was very important to us,' Mbane said after the game with a glow on her face. Teamwork makes the dream work There is always a sisterhood that comes to life whenever the Banyana Banyana take to the field. It is always experienced when they come off the bus. They take to singing in sync – songs that celebrate who they are and what they want to achieve. These songs guide them to the dressing room and it is there that they enter game mode – more like the feeling one embraces when going to war – except this war is on the field of play. For Mbane who features for two-time African champions Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies, her camaraderie with her clubmates in regular season can be seen at the WAFCON in every touch of the ball and in more ways than one, it helps the success of the Banyana Banyana. A typical work day came to life in the second half when a ball was whipped into the box and to save the situation, Mbane headed it softly towards goalkeeper Andile Dlamini. The Goalkeeper of the WAFCON 2022 who was having a field day saving her team from all manner of attack thanks to a spirited Ghana side, picked up the headed pass and went on with her business like it was something they had talked about. 'Those two know each other from club level. Their communication skills are on another level. It is almost like they can premeditate what the other is going to do. I am never worried about them. I saw that moment and it speaks to their maturity and understanding of each other,' Desiree Ellis, the South Africa head coach said after the game. Mbane, Dlamini, Lebohang Ramalepe, Fikile Magama, Karabo Dhlamini, Noxolo Cesane and Tiisetso Makhubela complete the six-woman Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies squad inside the starting Banyana Banyana lineup against Ghana. Ellis also had high praise for Dlamini's standout performance against Ghana and emphasized that keeping a clean sheet was important to Banyana Banyana on the day.
