15 September 2017 – This has been a great week for Women’s football.The week kicked off with the announcement of the extension of Banyana Banyana sponsorship by their flagship sponsor Sasol for another four years.

The glittering event was graced by various sporting figures including senior government officials.

The sponsorship extension comes on the background of the formation of the National Women’s League scheduled for next year.

As if to celebrate the sponsorship announcement, Banyana Banyana started their COSAFA Women’s championships in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe with a 3-0 thrashing of Lesotho at Luveve Stadium. Their next assignment is against Botswana on Sunday.

The sponsorship extension also comes at a time when women participants are increasing by the day. Officially there are now over 435 000 women playing football across the country. SAFA has been roundly praised by various groups for their empowerment and promotion of women football and increased participants.

There is also a huge number of Banyana Banyana players playing overseas and undertaking academic studies in the process. It has always been SAFA’s vision to make sure that players empower themselves with academic qualifications as a fallback when their playing days are over.

Meanwhile, Basetsana our u20 national women’s side play Namibia in the first round of the 2018 World Cup France qualifier at Dobsonville Stadium on Sunday (kick -off is at 3pm). The first round is always crucial in the sense that it sets the tone for the rest of the campaign. The return leg will be played in Namibia in two weeks’ time.