The Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana will not be in action until the new year – when preparations for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup move up a gear.
And by that time, they will know the identity of their opponents in Australia and New Zealand as the draw will be held in about two weeks’ time in Auckland (October 22 2022).
After going unbeaten at the 2022 TotalEnergies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations where they won all their six matches in Morocco in July, the South Africans have not tasted victory since.
They fell to Brazil last month in back to back friendly internationals played in Johannesburg and Durban – 3-0 and 6-0 respectively – before losing 4-1 to the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup co-hosts Australia in London this past weekend (Saturday, 8 October 2022).
Prior to the continental competition in North Africa, Banyana Banyana played Zambia in another friendly match in February, and were defeated 3-0 after a Barbra Banda brace, with Avell Chitundu chipping in with the other goal at the Nkoloma Stadium (Saturday, February 12).
In the same month they faced Algeria in two-legged WAFCON qualifiers, emerging victorious 2-1 at home and then were held to a 1-1 draw away, registering a 3-1 aggregate victory which saw them qualify for WAFCON.
South Africa then travelled to the Netherlands in April but came unstuck – losing 5-1.
At the WAFCON in Morocco, Banyana Banyana played against the then defending champions Nigeria, neighbours Botswana and Burundi in the group stages.
The quarterfinals saw them brush aside Tunisia – which ensured World Cup qualification – and they followed that up with a last-gasp victory over a solid Zambia in the semi-final, to set up a clash against hosts Morocco, whom they overcame 2-1 to clinch their maiden continental title.
- In total, the South African Senior Women’s National Team played 13 matches in 2022 – winning seven, losing five and drawing just one
- They scored 15 goals and conceded 26 in the process
- Ten of the games were away – and they won six of them, drew one and lost three
- In the remaining matches which were played at home, they lost two and won one.
Banyana Banyana’s matches in 2022 (excludes the COSAFA Women’s Championship)
Played: 13
Won: 7
Lost: 5
Drew: 1
Record: LLWDWWWWWWLLL
February 12 2022
vs Zambia
Friendly – away
Lost 0-3
April 12 2022
vs Netherlands
Friendly – away
Lost 5-1
February 18 2022
vs Algeria 1st Leg
WAFCON qualifier – home
Won 2-1
February 23 2022
vs Algeria 2nd leg
WAFCON qualifier – away
Drew 1-1
July 4 2022
vs Nigeria
WAFCON – away
Won 2-1
July 7 2022
vs Burundi
WAFCON – away
Won 3-1
July 10 2022
vs Botswana
WAFCON – away
Won 1-0
July 14 2022
vs Tunisia
WAFCON – away
Won 1-0
July 18 2022
vs Zambia
WAFCON – away
Won 1-0
July 23 2022
vs Morocco
WAFCON – away
Won 2-1
September 2 2022
vs Brazil
Friendly – home
Lost 3-0
September 5 2022
vs Brazil
Friendly – home
Lost 6-0
October 8 2022
vs Australia
Friendly – away
Lost 4-1
Banyana Banyana games at the Hollywoodbets COSAFA Women’s Championship – with Simphiwe Dludlu in charge
August 31 2022
Vs Angola
COSAFA CUP
Won 3-0
September 3 2022
Vs Mauritius
COSAFA CUP
Won 4-0
September 6 2022
Vs Mozambique
COSAFA CUP
Drew 1-1
September 9 2022
Vs Namibia
COSAFA CUP
Won 1-0
September 11 2022
Vs Zambia
COSAFA CUP
Lost 1-0
By Matlhomola Morake
