Banyana Banyana will take a short but much-needed break after playing 15 matches in 2025.
The latest was a 2-0 win over Morocco away in Agadir on Tuesday night (2 December 2025) – their 11th win of the year. Goals from the Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies duo of Nonhlanhla Mthandi and Noxolo Cesane saw South Africa over the line and wrap up the year with a fine win over the CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) 2026 hosts.
This was also the match that had 22 year old midfielder, Jessica Wade from JVW, make her Banyana Banyana debut – coming on in the 30th minute, taking the place of captain Refiloe Jane who was struggling with an injury. Wade is the former captain of the SA U17 Women’s National and has also been capped in the U20 squad. She recently signed a two year deal to play her professional football in Finland from next year.
Both South Africa and Morocco were preparing for the upcoming WAFCON competition which will be staged from 17 March to 3 April 2026 in Morocco.
“It’s a big confidence booster and we did say that coming to Morocco, the host nation, few months away from WAFCON is going to be a big game – and it was really a big game. I really have to take my hat off to the players, they really stood up today. And defensively we were really sound, didn’t give them anything,” said Banyana Banyana head coach Desiree Ellis.
“It’s a big confidence booster to end the year off on a good note – we did say that’s what we wanted, having qualified for WAFCON and getting this win against the hosts is good momentum for us. We’re going into the off-season now with a lot of confidence and we know what to expect coming back, because this loss will really force them (Morocco) to step up. With the WAFCON having increased to 16 teams is going to be a tough competition, a World Cup qualifying competition and we’ve got to be better than we were today.”
Her sentiments were echoed by defender Bambanani Mbane.
“Before this match we said that as defenders what is important to us is the clean sheet, so I am happy that we managed to do that – that’s a big achievement for us in the rearguard. We knew that it was not going to be an easy game, but also I am happy with the new players in the team who bring in a lot of energy, I am glad they were able to adapt, which is an indicator of how far we are as a team,” said defender Bambanani Mbane.
“We closed off the year with a win, and that gives the team confidence that we ended well, but we still need to work harder and not relax. This festive season will not be the same for the players as we know what our goal is as a team.”
Over the course of the year, the Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana faced 11 countries – Lesotho, Malawi, Botswana, Zambia, Ghana, Tanzania, Mali, Senegal, Nigeria, DR Congo and Morocco.
South Africa managed two draws and suffered only two defeats – to Nigeria and Ghana at the WAFCON in Morocco.
Ellis’ charges scored 26 goals and conceded eight goals.
Banyana Banyana matches in 2025:
Matches: 15
Wins: 11
Draws: 2
Losses: 2
Opponents: 11 countries
| DATE | VENUE | OPPONENT | RESULT | OUTCOME | CATEGORY |
| 22 Feb | Johannesburg | Lesotho | 1 – 0 | W | Friendly |
| 25 Feb | Johannesburg | Lesotho | 2 – 0 | W | Friendly |
| 05 April | Johannesburg | Malawi | 3 – 0 | W | Friendly |
| 08 April | Tshwane | Malawi | 2 – 1 | W | Friendly |
| 28 May | Tshwane | Botswana | 3 – 2 | W | Friendly |
| 03 June | Tshwane | Zambia | 2 – 0 | W | Friendly |
| 07July | Oujda, Morocco | Ghana | 2 – 0 | W | WAFCON |
| 11 July | Oujda, Morocco | Tanzania | 1 – 1 | D | WAFCON |
| 14 July | Oujda, Morocco | Mali | 4 – 0 | W | WAFCON |
| 19 July | Oujda, Morocco | Senegal | 4 – 1 pen (1-1) | W | WAFCON |
| 22 July | Casablanca, Morocco | Nigeria | 1 – 2 | L | WAFCON |
| 25 July | Casablanca, Morocco | Ghana | 3 – 4 pen(1-1) | L | WAFCON |
| 22 Oct | Kinshasa | DR Congo | 1 – 1 | D | WAFCON Q |
| 28 Oct | Johannesburg | DR Congo | 1 – 0 | W | WAFCON Q |
| 02 Dec | Agadir | Morocco | 0 – 2 | W | Friendly |
This year also saw the retirement of two Banyana Banyana stalwarts – defender Noko Matlou and midfielder Nompumelelo Nyandeni after glorious careers in the South African Senior Women’s National team where they amassed 174 and 150 caps respectively.
By Matlhomola Morake
