With Banyana Banyana set to kick off their Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) tomorrow against Tanzania, one of their young and exciting prospects, Isabella Ludwig, is beaming with excitement to be participating in the biggest competition in Africa for the first time.
The 23-year-old is one of several fresh faces in the team, alongside the youngest player, Zoe October. Coach Desiree Ellis felt the 18-year-old, alongside Ludwig deserve a shot and are ready to showcase their talent at the biggest stage as far as women’s African football is concerned.
Once upon a time, Ludwig had a dream of becoming a hockey star, and who knows, she could have been at the upcoming Hockey World Cup.
However, football managed to locate the talented midfielder, and it became her destiny.
“It started when I was around nine or 10. I changed schools to where they did not offer hockey, so the next best thing was football, and I started playing with the boys and developed a passion for it very fast,” she said.
Fast forward, Ludwig finds herself forming part of Ellis’ most trusted soldiers to help retain the Wafcon title for Banyana and ultimately qualify for the Fifa Women’s World Cup next year in Brazil.
“I am very excited to be here with the team because it has been a long road getting to where I am today,” Ludwig told Sunday World upon the team’s departure to Morocco.
“Obviously, it’s going to be my first Wafcon, so I’m very happy because it took a lot of hard work individually at the club to get here.
“So, I just want to continue showcasing my abilities, this time at a bigger stage, and contributing as much as I can to the team to make sure that we qualify for the World Cup next year.
“Because that is the mandate and goal for us, which is to qualify for the World Cup, then push to win the Wafcon, and that will be a big cherry on top for us,” she added.
Ludwig is also one of 11 Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies players who form part of the 26-member squad selected by Ellis.
Ellis, who has won the Wafcon and taken Banyana to the World Cup before, also emphasised the importance of returning to the global stage once again but said they will have to take it one game at a time, starting with the crucial opening clash against Tanzania.
“We want to qualify for the World Cup, and then we see how far we go in the Wafcon. But the focus for now is the opening game against Tanzania, as it will set the tone for the tournament,” Ellis said.
The game between Banyana and Tanzania will get underway at 7pm (SA time) at the Moulay Rachid Stadium in Casablanca.
Their next Group B encounter will be against Ivory Coast on Friday night, wrapping up their group stages against Burkina Faso next Tuesday.
- Banyana Banyana will start their Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) campaign tomorrow against Tanzania, featuring young talents like Isabella Ludwig and Zoe October.
- Ludwig, 23, initially wanted to pursue hockey but switched to football at a young age and is now part of the squad aiming to retain the Wafcon title.
- Coach Desiree Ellis trusts Ludwig and October to perform on the big stage, with a primary goal of qualifying for the 2024 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
- Ludwig is among 11 Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies players in the 26-member squad, emphasizing the strength of the team.
- Banyana's Wafcon journey begins at 7 pm SA time in Casablanca, with group matches against Tanzania, Ivory Coast, and Burkina Faso.
Once upon a time, Ludwig had a dream of becoming a hockey star, and who knows, she could have been at the upcoming Hockey World Cup.
However, football managed to locate the talented midfielder, and it became her destiny.
“It started when I was around nine or 10. I changed schools to where they did not offer hockey, so the next best thing was football, and I started playing with the boys and developed a passion for it very fast,” she said.
Fast forward, Ludwig finds herself forming part of Ellis’ most trusted soldiers to help retain the Wafcon title for
“I am very excited to be here with the team because it has been a long road getting to where I am today,” Ludwig told
“Obviously, it’s going to be my first Wafcon, so I’m very happy because it took a lot of hard work individually at the club to get here.
“So, I just want to continue showcasing my abilities, this time at a bigger stage, and contributing as much as I can to the team to make sure that we qualify for the World Cup next year.
“Because that is the mandate and goal for us, which is to qualify for the World Cup, then push to win the Wafcon, and that will be a big cherry on top for us,” she added.
Ludwig is also one of 11 Mamelodi
Ellis, who has won the Wafcon and taken
“We want to qualify for the World Cup, and then we see how far we go in the Wafcon. But the focus for now is the opening game against Tanzania, as it will set the tone for the tournament,” Ellis said.
