Banyana Banyana won’t run out of fuel soon

Banyana Banyana will continue to be backed by Sasol, after the announcement yesterday of a four-year extension to their sponsorship of both the women’s national football team and the Sasol Women’s League.

Sasol first started sponsoring women’s football in 2009 and the new deal will run until 2021. On top of that, South African Football Association president Danny Jordaan also announced there would be a national women’s league in 2019.

The new sponsorship deal excites Jordaan, who says women’s football continues to grow.

“We have to take care of women’s football in the country,” said Jordaan. “And thanks to Sasol, we have a lot of women playing football because of the Sasol League. It has been a great journey, and we are looking forward to continuing building and developing women’s football.

“Banyana Banyana never disappoint us. They always make the country proud, having qualified for the Africa Women’s Cup of Nations a couple of times and they have also managed to qualify for the Olympics twice. Now they have to make it a point to qualify for the World Cup. With the national league coming up, I am certain we will make it.”

Safa CEO Dennis Mumble, meanwhile, revealed that they will be making the announcement of a new Banyana coach sometime next week, almost a year after they parted with Vera Pauw, who left after the Rio 2016 Olympics. Desiree Ellis (right) has since been in charge on interim basis.

The Safa CEO added that it took time to get the person they wanted because of other commitments.

“We are very close, keep your eyes open and hopefully next week we will show you something,” said Mumble.

Banyana are preparing for the Cosafa Cup tournament to be hosted in Zimbabwe from September 13 to 24.