Fourth place finish caps mixed Wafcon for Banyana

Banyana Banyana’s bid to retain their Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) crown ended in heartbreak, as they settled for fourth place following a narrow defeat to Ghana in the third-place playoff.

Desiree Ellis and her charges entered the tournament among the favourites, with high expectations to go the distance. However, the knockout stages proved to be a stumbling block for the defending champions.

It’s now back to the drawing board for Ellis and her technical team after a campaign that exposed several shortcomings — from missed opportunities to defensive lapses that proved costly in crucial matches. 

As the team looks ahead, they’ll also do so without one of their most experienced players. Jermaine Seoposenwe, a key part of the national setup for more than a decade, played her final match for Banyana during this tournament and bows out of international football having left a lasting legacy.

Here are three key talking points from South Africa’s WAFCON campaign:

Bright start in the Group stage

Banyana got their title defence off to a positive start with a 2-0 victory over Ghana in their opening game. While the scoreline reflected control, some defensive vulnerabilities began to show, hinting at issues that would later prove costly.

Despite the early loss to South Africa, Ghana appeared to grow in confidence throughout the tournament, culminating in their third-place finish — a result that was no surprise considering their progression through the group stages and into the playoffs.

South Africa, meanwhile, topped their group with relative ease. A dominant 4-0 win over Mali showcased their attacking potential, although they had to dig deep in a surprising 1-1 draw against a determined Tanzanian outfit. That result underlined the increased competitiveness in women’s football on the continent and perhaps signalled the first warning signs for Banyana.

Knockout hurdles take their toll

The quarter-final clash against Senegal was always going to be a stern test, and it delivered on that front. After a goalless 120 minutes, South Africa advanced via a 4-1 penalty shootout win, but the physical toll of the match was significant.

It was a contest where Banyana created several good opportunities but failed to convert them — a pattern that would haunt them in the next round.

In the semi-final against Nigeria, the missed chances proved even more damaging. Despite a spirited performance, Banyana conceded a crucial goal in the second half, and the Super Falcons edged the match 2-1 to book their place in the final against hosts Morocco.

Thembi Kgatlana void

The absence of star forward Thembi Kgatlana was heavily felt throughout the tournament. Her ability to convert chances and spark attacking moments was sorely missed, especially during key moments in the knockouts.

The striker missed the tournament due to personal reasons, and after also going public that it was not only Banyana she stepped away from — but also her own club, Tigres in Mexico — her void was felt.

A standout performer in South Africa’s 2023 FIFA World Cup campaign and also a part of the 2022 WAFCON squad, her experience and leadership will always be vital. Banyana will hope she will form part of the side as they continue their journey past this WAFCON, especially having lost a few key members of their team in recent years.