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Daily Maverick
7 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Maverick
From champions to challengers: Banyana Banyana face hard truths after Wafcon setback
The team failed to reach the Women's Africa Cup of Nations podium for the first time since 2016. What does the future hold for them? Could have. Should have. Might have. Such thoughts will not aid Banyana Banyana in any way as they pick up the pieces of their poorest Women's Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) campaign in a number of years. Despite being the defending champions after their maiden Wafcon conquest in 2022, Banyana Banyana came into the Morocco-hosted tournament preaching caution. Yes, they were the defending champions — but that was old news, they said. The team was different. It had lost some of its longest-serving players and leaders to retirement since that historic win three years ago. Super striker turned hard-hitting defender Noko Matlou, as well as Africa's most capped player of all time, Janine van Wyk, had retired. 'Obviously, we are disappointed to be going home empty-handed. The tournament… wasn't an easy one for the players and there were a lot of challenges on and off the pitch. But we tried to put in a great performance, we tried to do our level best and we tried to retain the trophy as the main objective,' said Banyana Banyana co-captain Refiloe Jane. 'Going home now, there's a lot of work still to be done and we're hoping that come the next Wafcon in 2026 [which is very important, as it's a 2027 World Cup qualifying tournament], we can do well. But firstly we need to do well in the qualifiers.' Jane pointed out that the team is in transition and it's a balancing act putting out a competitive side. Add to that the regular and distracting off-field issues the team has had to contend with before major tournaments and it gets difficult to judge Banyana fairly. At this Wafcon the players downed tools just days after landing in Morocco, citing unpaid fees from previous matches for the national team as the reason for their strike. The South African Football Association (Safa) scrambled to remedy the situation. But by the time a resolution was reached, the structural integrity of Banyana Banyana's title defence was already looking shaky. Weak Wafcon campaign This theme persisted throughout their march to the Wafcon semifinals, where they fell 2-1 to eventual champions Nigeria. Then they failed to claim a Wafcon medal for the first time since 2016 after being defeated 4-3 on penalties by Ghana in the bronze play-off. 'Given the situation within camp, given the players that we had and a lot of transition that was taking place in the team, we're hoping that a lot of positives can be taken from this tournament and that we can build on that,' said Jane. Of course, players retire all the time and Desiree Ellis is one coach who has generally managed these player exits well while building this Banyana Banyana team during her nine years as head coach. Matlou and Van Wyk's successors have been part of the national team setup for a number of years. From Lonathemba Mhlongo to Tiisetso Makhubela and Bongeka Gamede, these players are no strangers to the general demands of international soccer. However, having spent limited game time while being understudies, their experience in pressure situations is significantly less than that of their retired predecessors. Burden of experience This was evident during South Africa's ill-fated title defence in Morocco. The squad was a blend of potential and experience, featuring Banyana Banyana veterans such as Linda Motlhalo, Bambanani Mbane, Jermaine Seoposenwe and Jane. The burden of pulling along their less experienced teammates may have proven to be too heavy, especially when they were also expected to maintain the individual high standards they have set in their stellar careers. Seoposenwe, who had announced her retirement from international soccer in the lead-up to this Wafcon, struggled to find the back of the net. The Mexico-based striker scored just once as she struggled to shoulder the goal-scoring responsibility that had been placed mostly on her in the absence of Thembi Kgatlana. Seoposenwe and Kgatlana are a nightmare to defenders when they hit top gear. In recent years, they've formed a devastating partnership for Banyana Banyana , playing a crucial role in SA's memorable 2023 Fifa Women's World Cup campaign. In this Wafcon defence, Seoposenwe had to lead the line without her partner in defence. This was after Kgatlana made herself unavailable for selection because she was taking a 'prearranged leave of absence from all football for personal reasons'. Kgatlana did add that she loves representing her country and will do so again in the future. Kgatlana missed Kgatlana was sorely missed by Banyana Banyana. Despite their overall performance in Morocco being lacklustre, the team created numerous scoring chances. They just did not take them — which might have been different if Kgatlana had been there. South Africa can still depend on Kgatlana in future, but Seoposenwe leaves a void that won't be easy to fill — just like the ones left by Matlou and Van Wyk. 'Jermaine has been a key figure in the national team from when she was a teenager to now calling retirement. We know how much contribution she has given to the team on and off the pitch,' said Jane. 'She leaves a great legacy, one to be followed by upcoming teenagers or upcoming players who look up to her. So, we are hoping that a lot of lessons can be taken from the type of person and player that she is.' Ellis's future The underwhelming Wafcon display has once again placed a spotlight on longtime Banyana Banyana coach Ellis. The four-time African coach of the year had to fend off questions about her future after her team failed to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games and now there are more question marks hanging over the former Banyana Banyana's captain's future. During Ellis's time in charge, Safa has made a handful of administrative blunders that have left the players feeling undermined by the association. Throughout these challenges, Ellis has remained gracious, refraining from airing Safa's dirty laundry in public. Alongside her amazing achievements with the team over the years, this discretion is another reason Safa is unlikely to dismiss her — another coach might not be as agreeable as her. That places the onus on Ellis to voluntarily walk away, much like German manager Jürgen Klopp did when he shocked Liverpool with his departure in 2024 after nine years at the helm. Asked about her future as Banyana Banyana slipped back into the country on Monday, 28 July, Ellis refused to comment. The coach said she did not want to be misquoted, so it was better not to comment. DM
Daily Maverick
22-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Maverick
Defending champions Banyana Banyana crash out of Wafcon after Nigeria defeat
Banyana Bayana's Women's Africa Cup of Nations title defence came to an end with a 2-1 defeat on Tuesday to Nigeria in a semifinal of the Morocco-hosted tournament. Clashes between Banyana Banyana and Nigeria's Super Falcons are always gladiatorial, and theirs is one of the biggest rivalries in women's soccer. The Women's Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) meeting between the two on Tuesday, 22 July at Stade Larbi Zaouli in Casablanca was poised to be another colourful chapter in this long-standing rivalry. It ended in a 2-1 victory to Nigeria after a tense 96-minute battle. Nigeria opened the scoring on the cusp of half-time after Bambanani Mbane was penalised for an unfortunate handball. Super Falcons captain Rasheedat Ajibade squeezed her spot-kick into the back of the net, past goalkeeper Andile Dlamini. On 56 minutes, South Africa won a penalty, which was eventually ratified after a lengthy video assistant referee review. Up stepped playmaker Linda Motlhalo to calmly convert and bring Banyana Banyana level. This goal shifted the momentum firmly in South Africa's favour, with Desiree Ellis's team creating several opportunities, but they were unable to capitalise on this rare period of dominance. A chain of unfortunate events The wind was knocked out of their sails when they lost left winger Gabriela Salgado to a horrific leg injury late in the second half. The Banyana Banyana players were visibly distraught at losing their teammate in that manner, and they never recovered. Michelle Alozie's searching cross from the right wing on 94 minutes somehow evaded everyone in the Banyana box, including charging goalkeeper Dlamini, as it trickled into the goal. The unexpected blow came against the run of play, with extra-time seeming the most likely next chapter of this semifinal story. Sluggish campaign Banyana Banyana did not display the same swagger that helped them clinch their maiden title in 2022. Except for the 4-0 demolition of Mali in the group stage, the team were sluggish throughout this Wafcon campaign. Following this defeat, it's back to the drawing board for South Africa's senior women's soccer side. But first they must fight for the bronze medal. 'Yes, Banyana Banyana did not win the game. But there's still a lot to fight for. They still need to deliver that bronze medal to Gabriela. She deserves a medal. Even Jermaine Seoposenwe [who is retiring] deserves to leave with a bronze medal. So, one more game to go,' said Banyana midfielder Kholosa Biyana on SuperSport. As for the Nigerians, they now have a massive chance to win their 10th title since this continental competition became the Wafcon in 1998. Old rivals The feud between Banyana Banyana and Nigeria dates back to the 1995 edition of the continental tournament, when it was still known as the African Women's Championship. Banyana Banyana and Nigeria met in the final, with the Super Falcons soaring to a ruthless 11-2 aggregate victory in the two-legged decider. In the years that followed, the rivalry has blossomed, with the Nigerians enjoying the most success. At Wafcon, the teams had met five times in the semifinals before the tussle in Casablanca, with the Super Falcons losing only once during those last-four meetings. The most recent encounter between the two at the tournament ended in a 2-1 victory for Banyana Banyana in the group stage of the 2022 edition. Banyana were always going to have a tough task when they came up against a Super Falcons team that was high in confidence after tearing apart Zambia 5-0 in the quarterfinals. The Nigerians were yet to concede a goal at the tournament. Banyana Banyana, on the other hand, scraped into the semifinals after beating Senegal 4-1 on penalties. While Banyana Banyana had dominated recent competitive fixtures between the two teams, the turning point came during the Paris Olympic Games qualifiers in 2024. The Nigerians won 1-0 on aggregate over two legs to book their ticket to France at the expense of the South Africans. Their victory in Morocco is a clear indication that the Nigerians are once again asserting their dominance in this rivalry. DM
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
