‘One day at a time’ — Banyana Banyana sharpen focus on journey to defend Wafcon title

Banyana Banyana are in uncharted territory. For the first time they are heading to a major tournament as defending champions. It is pressure with which the South Africans are not acquainted, but they are embracing it as they continue to carve out a path for future generations.

Banyana Banyana won the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon), the first time they were crowned champions of Africa despite being one of the best teams on the continent for an extended period. With this hurdle cleared, the team is aiming to create more history.

In the more than three-decade history of the Wafcon, Banyana became just the third team to win the tournament three years ago, following in the footsteps of Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea.

The Nigerians won the first seven editions of the continental showpiece before Equatorial Guinea snapped this dominance in 2008. Then Nigeria won it again two years later, before Equatorial Guinea triumphed for a second time in 2012.

After that it was Nigerian dominance once more until South Africa snapped the monotony. If Banyana Banyana win this year’s Morocco-hosted spectacle, they will join the two nations as multi-African champions.

Flying start

This all starts on Monday, 7 July when the defending champions take on Ghana in their opening group C game. They will then tussle with Tanzania four days later, before closing off the group campaign with a battle against Mali on 14 July.

“We are going to take it one day at a time. If we think too far ahead, we will lose focus on what’s at hand. So, we will put everything towards that first game to make sure we get a positive result. Then we’ll go to the next one and the next one,” said Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis.

“We have told the players that, yes, we are the defending champions. But we also said that we are contenders, like everybody else. Everyone going to this tournament has an ambition to win it and we are no different.”

“It’s a difficult group because no team is easy to play,” said Banyana Banyana captain Refiloe Jane, “especially on the African continent. We are hoping that in the first game against Ghana we can set the tone [for the rest of the tournament]. Then we will take one game at a time.”

Ellis added: “We are under no illusions about the target on our back. But the experience of having been there and knowing how to get over that hurdle will [stand] us in good stead, even though it’s a newish squad.”

Thembi Kgatlana’s absence

Experienced players such as midfield maestros Jane and Linda Motlhalo, defender Bambanani Mbane, goalkeepers Andile Dlamini and Kaylin Swart, as well as forwards Jermaine Seoposenwe and Hildah Magaia, will be the bedrock of the team.

Seoposenwe (who will retire from international soccer at the end of Wafcon) and Magaia will be particularly crucial in the absence of fellow sharpshooter Thembi Kgatlana. The former African footballer of the year has excused herself from national duty for “personal reasons”.

“We know the capabilities of Thembi and what she offers to the team. It’s going to be a big loss for the team. But we also have other players who have to step up and try to do well in that position. We have to go out there and play as a team, to fight for each other to hopefully retain the trophy,” Jane said.

Despite the setback of losing Kgatlana, the South Africans are confident that the team will be able to navigate the demands of the tournament all the way to the final again. They are also hopeful that they can deliver another Wafcon triumph to send off Seoposenwe on a winning note.

“We have seen Jermaine out in Mexico and what she’s done. We have seen what she’s done for the national team and she’s currently in good scoring form. Hopefully she can keep that form [at the Wafcon]. But a big thank you to Jermaine. She’s always come in and given her best, raising the level. Hopefully we can give her a good sendoff,” said Ellis.

Fresh faces

Although they have stagnated in recent years, 11-time African champions Nigeria remain the biggest threat to Banyana Banyana’s ambitions. Morocco – who South Africa vanquished 2-1 in the final to clinch a maiden continental title three years ago – can’t be underestimated either. The same is true for Zambia, who earned a bronze medal at the previous Wafcon instalment.

Kgatlana’s absence has opened up a spot for the young players in the Banyana Banyana fold. Teenagers such as JVW’s Bonolo Mokoma and zippy winger Adrielle Mibe will be hungry to show what they can do in the absence of one of the continent’s most lethal strikers.

Another new face in the team is the University of the Western Cape’s Ronnel Donnelly. The 21-year-old striker has undoubtedly been included for physical presence against robust defenders. Young goalkeeper Casey Gordon and striker Nthabiseng Majiya will not travel with the squad, but will be on standby.

“I had conversations with them when they came to camp and some of them were extremely nervous,” said Ellis of the fresh faces in the team.

“I told them that we selected them based on what we see and we don’t want them to do anything different. But we want them to take what we’ve seen to the next level.”

With African nations focusing more and more on women’s soccer, this edition of the Wafcon (5 to 26 July) promises to increase the competitiveness seen in previous editions. All 12 participating teams are hungry to showcase their growth from the past few years. DM

This story first appeared in our weekly Daily Maverick 168 newspaper, which is available countrywide for R35.