New era for women’s football in South Africa after Banyana Banyana’s historic WAFCON triumph
2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations champions, Banyana Banyana, are beacons of hope for many young girls in South Africa after the team’s historic victory at the continental championship.
The current crop were the first South African women’s side to lift the WAFCON crown after a 2-1 victory over Morocco in Rabat on 23 July.
The hard-fought victory against the Moroccan outfit came after the women in green and gold were denied in five previous WAFCON finals — in 1995, 2000, 2008, 2012 and 2018.
On the road to the highly-anticipated final, the South Africans secured narrow 1-0 victories over Tunisia and Zambia in the quarter- and semi-final rounds, respectively.
Morocco knocked out Nigeria to ensure that a first-time champion would eventually be crowned in the final.
Playing in front of a record-breaking crowd attendance of around 50 000 fans, the South Africans were clearly outnumbered as the Moroccans turned up to support the hosts.
From the onset, Banyana Banyana players and coaching staff knew that they had to defy the odds stacked up against them if they were to get their hands on the silverware.
As the whistle blew, the teams found their groove in the early stages of the encounter with a very tactical approach from both camps, which resulted in a deadlock by the half-time break.
It was more of the same in the second half, with both nations playing at a lively tempo but it was the South Africans who got the breakthrough just before the hour mark. Jermaine Seoposenwe showed great pace and composure to beat, skip past one challenge in the box before picking out Hildah Magaia, who slotted home with a first-time finish for her second goal of the tournament.
The lead was doubled in the 71st minute as some superb build-up play ended with Magaia getting on the end of Karabo Dhlamini’s cross before slotting the ball into the back of the net.
Morocco, however, did pull a goal back with 10 minutes left on the clock as they pounced on an error from Lebo Ramalepe, with Fatima Zahra teeing up for Rosella Ayane for the close-range finish.
The host nation threw everything forward in search of an equaliser to send the game to extra-time, but Ellis’ troops remained determined in the closing stages and held on for the win.
The victory sent the South African sport fraternity into a frenzy, which resulted in a heart-warming welcome back home celebration at OR Tambo International Airport.
The senior national women’s team were not only met with song and dance, but were also gifted with a R5.8-million cheque by Department of Sport, Arts & Culture Minister Nathi Mthwethwa. Banyana Banyana received a further R400 000 each incentive from the South African Football Association for their outstanding efforts to put Mzansi’s football on the map. Following the conclusion of the tournament, Banyana Banyana had cemented their spot at the 2023 Fifa Women’s World Cup, while also bagging individual accolades with Andile Dlamini scooping the Goalkeeper of the Tournament award.
Coach Desiree Ellis also made headlines when she picked up her third Coach of the Year gong at the CAF Awards.
The recognition continued at the 2022
Momentum gsport Awards where Banyana Banyana were crowned Team of the Year, while Ellis earned the Coach of the Year accolade.
It has truly been a busy and historic year for Banyana Banyana, who united a nation and began a new era for women’s football in the country.
We look forward to seeing the women in green and gold represent the country at the World Cup in Australia/new Zealand. But, for now, the preparations continue until the global showpiece next year.