27 November 2023 – Banyana Banyana have arrived in Côte d’Ivoire ahead of the away leg of the final round of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup Of Nations qualifier (WAFCON) against Burkina Faso.
Coach Desiree Ellis’ charges face Burkina Faso on 30 November 2023 and the team travelled with 20 players, with youngster Ayesha Moose of the University of Johannesburg replacing Wendy Shongwe who could not travel due to illness in the family. Forward Jermaine Seoposenwe will join the Sasol-sponsored South African senior women’s team for the second leg in South Africa.
Linda Motlhalo, Noko Matlou and Faith Nokuthula are the last three players expected to join up with the team in Côte d’Ivoire.
The team is currently based in Abidjan and will have their first official training session on Tuesday afternoon (28 November) before traveling by bus to the capital city of Côte d’Ivoire, Yamoussoukro, where they will face-off against Burkina Faso on Thursday at the Stade Charles Konan Banny. (Kickoff 18:00pm CAT).
This will be the last fixture for Banyana Banyana in 2023, and the team will return to action in February 2024 to continue with their 2024 Olympic qualifiers.
The team had a successful year as they made history at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup by becoming the first ever South African senior national team to make it to the knockout stages of a FIFA tournament.
Their efforts have been rewarded as the Confederation of African Football (CAF) on Monday shortlisted Banyana Banyana in the National Team of the Year (women) category in the continental awards to be hosted next month in Morocco.
Other shortlisted candidates are:
Deiree Ellis (Coach of the Year)
Andile Dlamini and Kaylin Swart (Goalkeeper of the Year)
Thubelihle Shamase (Young player of the Year)
Lebohang Ramalepe (Interclub player of the year)
Andile Dlamini, Hilda Magaia, and Thembi Kgatlana (Player of the Year)
Women’s CAF Champions League champions Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies were shortlisted for the Club of the Year.