Banyana Banyana may have to face Tanzania in a crucial Paris 2024 Olympic Games qualifier with the bulk of the team without match fitness.
The same scenario played itself out in 2022 ahead of the CAF Women Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Algeria – which took place in February before the South African elite women’s league had kicked off.
It’s common knowledge that Banyana Banyana arranged an early training camp for local-based players before facing Zambia in an international friendly match – which the South Africans lost heavily (3-0) – to prepare for the Algeria fixture.
Banyana Banyana managed to defeat the North Africans 2-0 in the first leg with goals from Hilda Magaia and Thembi Kgatlana, before sharing the spoils in a 1-all draw in the second leg, which was enough to see Ellis’ charges qualify – and went on to lift their maiden continental title.
Currently, only seven regular players – all based abroad – have resumed league action, while the Hollywoodbets Super League, which supplies the majority of Banyana Banyana personnel, will not kick off until March.
The Mexican quartet of Jermaine Seoposenwe (FC Monterrey), Kgatlana (Tigres UANL), the newly-signed Mazatlán FC Femenil duo, Magaia and Sinoxolo Cesane, as well as Noko Matlou (SD Eibar – Spain), Refiloe Jane (Sassuolo – Italy) and Linda Motlhalo (Glasgow City – Scotland) will have matches under their belts by the time the reigning African Champions take on the Twiga Stars of Tanzania in the penultimate third round clash for the Olympic qualifiers next month.
Over and above lack of match-fitness for some of her players, Ellis will also have a nice headache as she has to accommodate seasoned campaigners who have returned from injury – the likes of Bambanani Mbane (who last played at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup) in August; the University of the Western Cape (UWC) duo, Bongeka Gamede and Sibulele Holweni, who concluded the 2023 Hollywoodbets Super League season in the sick bay.
Tanzania, on the other hand, is expected to be a tough customer as their domestic league is already on the go, and, in addition, will be fuelled by the desire to secure their first ever Olympic qualification.
The Twiga Stars defeated Botswana to proceed to this round, while South Africa beat DR Congo.
The fourth and final will be played in April – and only two teams will earn the right to represent Africa at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games scheduled for July.
With women’s football on the rise, the year 2024 seems to be another exciting period as a jam-packed programme lies in wait:
- Olympic Games qualifiers (February & April)
- All Africa Games (March, Ghana)
- Olympic Games tournament (Paris, July)
- Hollywoodbets Super League (and other domestic leagues)
- COSAFA Women’s Championship
- COSAFA Women’s Champions League qualifiers
- WAFCON
- Varsity Cup
- USSA Games
- Sasol League
- Sasol League National Champs Play-offs
- There are also Cup Competitions for players based abroad
By Matlhomola Morake
