It is more than a week since South Africa brought home the coveted TotalEnergies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations trophy, but it has not stopped various stakeholders to continue to honour the squad or individual players in one way or the other.
The Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana stunned everyone when they defeated hosts Morocco 2-1 in the final of the tournament in Rabat – setting off a whole lot of off-the-field festivities and activities for the team.
The latest Banyana Banyana celebrations come from the University of the Western Cape where the institution took time out to honour their five players who were in the 2022 WAFCON squad along with head coach of the women’s football team, Thinasonke Mbuli, who is also the assistant coach to Desiree Ellis at the South African Senior Women’s National Team.
The university came to a standstill as the five players – Amogelang Motau, Regirl Ngobeni, Sibulele Holweni, Bongeka Gamede and Noxolo Cesane – were welcomed by a large number of students waving placards and banners.
Also in attendance were staff and members of the public.
Of the 23 Banyana Banyana who were in Morocco, 11 of them (in addition to the current five) are UWC alumnae – Kaylin Swart, Nomvula Kgoale, Jermaine Seoposenwe, Thalea Smidt, Kholosa Biyana, and Thembi Kgatlana.
“The players and the coach have made the University very proud, and I am glad that the jubilant community had turned up in big numbers to celebrate with them. UWC makes champions in the classroom and outside of the classroom. Mr Mandla Gagayi, UWC Director of Sport, just told me that in that Banyana Banyana squad of 23 players, 50% of them came from UWC. Today we are very proud. We say to our Banyana Banyana African Champions, well done. You have brought honor to UWC,” said UWC Rector and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Tyrone Pretorius.
His words were echoed by UWC Director of Sport, Mandla Gagayi.
“It is always a pleasure for us at UWC Sport to see all the hard work that our students and alumni have been putting in their craft paying off. We would like to pay homage to UWC current and alumni for their contribution to ensuring that Banyana Banyana achieves the long-awaited WAFCON Champions status,” Gagayi.“In 2016 when we said we will deliberately put our resources to develop women in sport we were not just talking because results show today and again given the history of this university, I think we’ve always been looked at as underdogs but the strides we’ve taken actually to be the leaders in terms of giving opportunities to women in sport I think we are one of the unrivaled universities. If you look at the numbers in the national team five current players are students and six alumni, basically about 50% of the team came from UWC.”
Mbuli had this to say:
It’s a proud moment for us, we have been able to produce players who can play only national but also international. I must say that they really worked hard for this and the results show. I must also mention that this is not the first group of players that are part of the national team, I think 50% of the team some studied here, some graduated here, so this is just the next generation that just went in Africa and won it.”
Motau added:
“I just think that coming home and seeing all the students here is a little bit overwhelming, but it’s fantastic to see that we’re being supported this much. As I said before that I hope this is not the last time, and I hope that every time we play in the Hollywoodbets Super League, the students will show up and come show us support because that’s where it starts. We wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for our league where we playing week in and week out, to see the support is just amazing and super overwhelming but we’re grateful for it.”
Banyana Banyana’s victory came on Saturday, 23 July but they only left the North African country on Monday (25 July) to land in South Africa the following day (Tuesday, 26 July) where they arrived to a heroine’s welcome as they were greeted by thousands of fans at the OR Tambo International Stadium.
They were welcomed by the Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa alongside their proud sponsor, Sasol, represented by Charlotte Mokoena who is the Executive Vice President.
The team wasted no time and the next day they headed off to the Union Buildings in Pretoria for an official visit to the State President, Cyril Ramaphosa.
They rounded the day off with a meet and greet with the Mayor of Johannesburg and also making a turn at the SAFA Headquarters in Nasrec to share the moment with the staff members.
But that was not the end.
This was followed by individual recognition as provinces tried to out-do one another in celebrating their heroines.
Limpopo was the first to make a move when they showered Noko Matlou, Lebogang Ramalepe, Hilda Magaia and Nomvula Kgoale with praise and some added incentives. Magaia scored the two goals that led the Sasol-sponsored squad to victory.
Not to be outdone, TUT shared their excitement with former players, Banyana Banyana captain Refiloe Jane, Nomvula Kgoale and Hilda Magaia.
The Gauteng Department of Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation took a slightly different route and pumped some money into women’s football – which saw Banyana Banyana sharing with grassroots female soccer.
Out in the Eastern Cape, Sterkspruit-born defender Bambanane Mbane was also feted by the locals when she arrived back home after her stints in Morocco. The Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies player was a stand-out performer, helping South Africa to six wins in as many matches.
Although from eNgcobo in the Eastern Cape, midfielder Kholosa Biyana also returned home to iDutywa where she attended primary school, mingling with the pupils of Canaan Academy.
There have also been interviews galore as the squad basked in the glory of their history-making achievement – telling of their journey from the start to where they find themselves.
This was the first time in six attempts that they finally managed to clinch gold.
Morocco finished second, with Zambia grabbing the final podium place while Nigeria left empty-handed in terms of medals.
All the four nations booked their tickets to the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
By Matlhomola Morake
