Even through the hardships, handicaps and hurdles that Banyana Banyana had to overcome weeks before their biggest mission of the 2023 Women’s World Cup, the South African senior women’s national team defied all odds and went on to make history on the global stage.
It all started when the South African Football Association (Safa) were at the centre of attention as they were at loggerheads with the World Cup-bound Banyana squad over bonuses. The issue went as far as the Banyana senior players boycotting their send-off match against Botswana – which saw Safa hastily assemble a team at the last minute. The team of fringe players under the guidance of coach Desiree Ellis lost the match 5-0.
The embarrassing and uncalled for debacle got the SA Football Players Union involved and was crucial in ensuring the matter was resolved and the team along with their technical team got their monies.
Banyana made history by recording their first ever World Cup victory when they beat Italy 3-2 and went as far as securing their first ever round of 16 qualification.
The ladies put on a great show in Australia and New Zealand and will be remembered for their euphonious singing in the change rooms and down the tunnel.
The usual suspects Linda Motlhalo, Bambanani Mbane, Jermaine Seoposenwe, Hildah Magaia, and captain fantastic Thembi Kgatlana were instrumental in Banyana’s world cup success. The likes of Kholosa Biyana and Lebohang Ramalepe were some of the players who stepped up to the plate and put out some solid performances.
Goalkeeper Kaylin Swart took a lot of stings from many South Africans back home, as she was attacked and blamed for some costly errors she made during the tournament. Even so, coach Ellis did not fold as she stood by her decision to keep Swart in goals ahead of
favourite Andile Dlamini for the entire tournament.
Despite her blunders, Swart displayed some amazing mental strength and showed that you can’t keep a good woman down.
Banyana were rewarded for their stellar performance at the World Cup. They have now progressed to the Wafcon and will be on a serious quest to defend their crown in Morocco next year.
