As compared to previous occasions, Banyana Banyana received a rather low-key sendoff to the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) tournament this past week. There was no fanfare, no song and dance and definitely, no pomp and no celebration. Something is just not right in the camp.
As we speak, the girls have already settled down in Morocco and are finetuning their preparations to defend the Wafcon title they lifted in 2022 against all odds. They did the unthinkable when they defeated Morocco in the final in front of a partisan crowd in Rabat. The girls were united; there was camaraderie within the team – the camp was oozing with joy and sisterhood.
This time around, it is not encouraging. Coach Desiree Ellis’ body language tells a different story. She is not the buoyant and upbeat trainer we have become accustomed to. She seems detached from the stocky, honey badger who fiercely led the team with conviction.
But who can blame her, she has been working without a contract since 2022. Her contract expired after she led the team to that Wafcon triumph in July of that year, and according to reports, Safa has been paying her the same salary to avoid improved terms that will come with contract renewal.
There’s an air of melancholy; star player Thembi “Pikinini” Kgatlane has opted to sit out the Wafcon due to “personal reasons”. I mean, which soccer player would miss such a massive opportunity due to ‘personal reasons’ – there’s more to it than meets the eye.
Twinkle-toed attacking midfielder Jermaine Seopasenwe has announced her intention to retire after the tournament, and all these adds to the suspicion that this is not a happy camp at all, and I will be surprised if the girls go far in the tournament.
The complexion of the team has also changed, but in life, change is inevitable. The likes of Noko Matlou, Janine van Wyk, Kgatlane, Nomvula Kgoale and Thalea Smidt are no longer in the team. But veterans such as Seopasenwe, Linda Motlhalo, Bambanani Mbane, Refiloe Jane and Andile Dlamini have enough experience to lead the youngsters on the battlefields.
Banyana legend Mpumi Nyandeni, who amassed 150 caps in her illustrious career, has belief in the team and is of the opinion that they can go all the way in Morocco again.
Nyandeni was also part of the Banyana team that qualified for the Olympics for the first time in 2012 in London. They also took part in the 2016 Olympics in Rio, Brazil.
“I believe that they can win it and defend their trophy. I am not surprised at the squad that was announced by coach Desiree. She needed to introduce a couple of youngsters because some of the players of yesteryear have retired and others are not available,” said Nyandeni.
She added: “The girls can win it if they believe in themselves. They have been there and have played at the highest level. It’s for the senior players to guide the young ones.”
We sincerely hope that there are no problems and issues in the camp. We pray that money and bonus matters have been ironed out because we want to see the girls going out there, ready to obliterate anything that comes their way.
You go, girls!
