South Africa women's national soccer team

The South Africa women's national football team, nicknamed Banyana Banyana (The Girls), is the national team of South Africa and is controlled by the South African Football Association.

South Africa
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s)Banyana Banyana
AssociationSouth African Football Association
ConfederationCAF (Africa)
Sub-confederationCOSAFA (Southern Africa)
Head coachDesiree Ellis
CaptainRefiloe Jane
Most capsJanine Van Wyk (185)
Top scorerPortia Modise (101)
FIFA codeRSA
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 50 Increase 1 (16 August 2024)[1]
Highest45 (August 2023)
Lowest74 (June – September 2005; December 2007)
First international
 South Africa 9–0 Eswatini 
(Johannesburg, South Africa; 30 May 1993)
Biggest win
 South Africa 17–0 Comoros 
(Port Elizabeth, South Africa; 31 July 2019)
Biggest defeat
 China 13–0 South Africa 
(Dalian, China; 7 September 2003)
World Cup
Appearances2 (first in 2019)
Best resultRound of 16 (2023)
Africa Women Cup of Nations
Appearances13 (first in 1995)
Best result1st place, gold medalist(s) Champions (2022)
Summer Olympics
Appearances2 (first in 2012)
Best result10th (2012)
COSAFA Women's Championship
Appearances10 (first in 2002)
Best result1st place, gold medalist(s) Champions (2002, 2006, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022)
Websitehttps://www.safa.net/

South Africa competed in two Olympic Games, two FIFA Women's World Cups, and 14 Women's African Cup of Nations, where they were runners up five times before winning once. They also competed at all 10 COSAFA Women's Championships, where they won seven times, came second twice and finished in fourth place once.

History

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Banyana Banyana's first official match was held on 30 May 1993 against Eswatini, which they won 14–0. Future Women's AFCON winning coach Desiree Ellis played in that game and scored three of the goals[2]

Their first international match outside of Africa was against China. They played two matches which they lost 8-0 and 13–0 with the latter being the heaviest defeat in their history. The team's first victory over a nation outside of Africa was in 2000, where they beat Scotland by 2–0. This was at the Cyrus Women's Cup.[3]

South Africa's biggest win came in a COSAFA Women's Championship match in Gqeberha on 31 July 2019, when they beat the Comoros 17–0. Captain Refiloe Jane scored 4 of the goals.[4][5]

Olympic Games

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They qualified for Olympic football for the first time in 2012, with coach Joseph Mkhonza.[6] Their second Olympic participation was at 2016's Rio Olympics, under coach Vera Pauw.

Women's Africa Cup of Nations

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Banyana appeared in 14 CAF Women's Championships (Now known as Women's AFCON) and were runners up on five occasions (1995, 2000, 2008, 2012 and 2018) and third at two events (2006 and 2010), before eventually winning their first Women's Africa Cup of Nations in 2022, beating Morocco 2–1 in the final.[7]

FIFA Women's World Cup

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Coached by Desiree Ellis, they qualified for their first FIFA Women's World Cup in 2019, in Group B with Germany, Spain and China. However, they lost all matches, and their only goal was against Spain when they went to a 1–0 lead only to lose 3–1.

South Africa qualified for the FIFA Women's World Cup again in 2023, also coached by Desiree Ellis. During the group stages they lost 2–1 to Sweden after leading 1–0, drew 2–2 against Argentina after leading 2–0, but finally defeated Italy 3–2 and advanced to the Round of 16 for the very first time. They eventually lost 2–0 to the Netherlands.[8] Following the team's performance, Desiree Ellis would win the 2023 award for CAF Women's Coach of the Year.[9]

The top goal scorers at world cups are Thembi Kgatlana with 3, Hildah Magaia with 2, while Linda Motlhalo also scored one. South Africa's other goal was an own goal by Italy in 2023.

COSAFA Women's Championship

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South Africa competed in all eleven COSAFA Women's Championships - a tournament featuring nations from the Southern African region - since its inception in 2002. They have won seven titles (in 2002, 2006, 2008, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020), finished second twice (in 2011 and 2022) and only failed to win a medal twice, when they finished fourth in 2021 and exited in the group stages 2023.[10]

In later years, because of South Africa's success and increased participation in bigger world events, management started sending newcomers to COSAFA tournaments, to broaden their talent pool. This contributed to a decline in Banyana Banyana's dominance at this event.[11]

Team image

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Nicknames

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The South Africa women's national football team has been known or nicknamed as the "Banyana Banyana", which literally translates to "Girls Girls", but such double use is often interpreted to mean "all the girls". In the context of sport, it is also understood to mean "go girls, go girls".

This name is derived from the Senior Men's National team being "Bafana Bafana" which also literally means "the boys the boys". The nickname came into existence from fans shouting "bafana bafana" to mean "go boys, go boys" as encouragement during the South Africa men's team's first international game after many years of sporting isolation due to Apartheid policies in 1992, when they beat Cameroon 1–0 in Durban. The name stuck, and the female form was later applied to the women's team as well.

 
Banyana Banyana starting XI at the 2022 Women's Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

Results and fixtures

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The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

Legend

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixture

2023

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30 October 2024 Olympic qualifying South Africa   2–0
(3–1 agg.)
  DR Congo Pretoria, South Africa
Stadium: Lucas Moripe Stadium
Note: South Africa won 3–1 on aggregate
30 November 2023 (2023-11-30) 2024 AFWCON qualification Second round 1st leg Burkina Faso   1–1   South Africa Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast
17:00 UTC+1
  • Konaté   68'
Report (SAFA)
Stadium: Charles Konan Banny Stadium
4 December 2023 (2023-12-04) 2024 AFWCON qualification Second round 2nd leg South Africa   2–0
(3–1 agg.)
  Burkina Faso Pretoria, South Africa
15:00 UTC+1
Report (SAFA) Stadium: Lucas Moripe Stadium
Note: South Africa won 3–1 on aggregate.

2024

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23 February 2024 (2024-02-23) 2024 Olympic qualifying Tanzania   0–3   South Africa Dar es Salaam,Tanzania
Stadium: Azam Complex Stadium
27 February 2024 (2024-02-27) 2024 Olympic qualifying South Africa   1–0
(4–0 agg.)
  Tanzania Mbombela,South Africa
Stadium: Mbombela Stadium
Note: South Africa won 4–0 on aggregate.
5 April 2024 (2024-04-05) 2024 Olympic qualifying Nigeria   1–0   South Africa Abuja,Nigeria
17:00 UTC+1 Report Stadium: MKO Abiola Stadium
Referee: Ghada Mehat (Algeria)
9 April 2024 (2024-04-09) 2024 Olympic qualifying South Africa   0–0
(0–1 agg.)
  Nigeria Pretoria ,South Africa
19:30 UTC+2 Report
Stadium: Loftus Versfeld Stadium
Referee: Dorsaf Ganouati (Tunisia)
Note: Nigeria won 1–0 on aggregate.
22 October 2024 (2024-10-22) 2024 COSAFA WC GS South Africa   1–0   Namibia Gqeberha, South Africa
17:00 UTC+2 Motlogelwa   84' Report Stadium: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium
Referee: Thanks Nyahuye (Zimbabwe)
25 October 2024 (2024-10-25) 2024 COSAFA WC GS South Africa   3–0   Eswatini Ibhayi, South Africa
15:00 UTC+2
Report Stadium: Isaac Wolfson Stadium
Referee: Antsino Twanyanyukwa (Namibia)
25 October Friendly Denmark   5–0   South Africa Aalborg, Denmark
18:00 UTC+1
Stadium: Aalborg Stadium
28 October 2024 (2024-10-28) 2024 COSAFA WC GS South Africa   8–1   Seychelles Gqeberha, South Africa
15:00 UTC+2
Report
Stadium: Madibaz Stadium
Referee: Grace Gimo (Zimbabwe)
29 October Friendly England   2–1   South Africa Coventry, England
Stadium: Coventry Arena
31 October 2024 (2024-10-31) 2024 COSAFA WC SF South Africa   1–1
(4–1 p)
  Mozambique Ibhayi, South Africa
15:00 UTC+2 Motlogelwa   45+4' (pen.) Report Célia   34' Stadium: Isaac Wolfson Stadium
Referee: Mercy Mayimbo (Zimbabwe)
Penalties
2 November 2024 (2024-11-02) 2024 COSAFA WC F Zambia   0–0 (a.e.t.)
(4–3 p)
  South Africa Ibhayi, South Africa
15:00 UTC+2 Report Stadium: Isaac Wolfson Stadium
Referee: Antsino Twanyanyukwa (Namibia)
Penalties
29 November Friendly Jamaica   3-0   South Africa Montego Bay, Jamaica
2 December Friendly Jamaica   3-2   South Africa Montego Bay, Jamaica

Coaching staff

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Current coaching staff

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Position Name Ref.
Head coach   Desiree Ellis
Assistant coach   Thinasonke Mbuli
Goalkeeper Coach   Cameron Cox
Performance Analyst   Shilene Booysen
Physical Trainer   Ridhaa Allie
Kit Manager   Evah Mokwape

Technical staff

Role Name Start date
General Manager   Lauren Duncan January 2016

Manager history

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All-time Banyana Banyana coaching records
Coach Nat. Tenure Games Win Loss Draw Win %
Sandile Bali[12]   South Africa 1995
Nomaluno Mooi[12]   South Africa 1998
Fran Hilton-Smith[12]   South Africa 2000
Greg Mashilo[13]   South Africa 20022004
August Makalakalane[14][15]   South Africa 20062011
Joseph Mkhonza[16][17]   South Africa 20112014
Vera Pauw[18][19]   Netherlands 20142016
Desiree Ellis[20]   South Africa 2016 – present

Players

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Current squad

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No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK Kaylin Swart (1994-09-30) 30 September 1994 (age 30) 36 0   JVW
1GK Dineo Magagula (1994-10-14) 14 October 1994 (age 30)   TS Galaxy Queens
1GK Andile Dlamini (1992-09-02) 2 September 1992 (age 32) 69 0   Mamelodi Sundowns

2 2DF Asanda Hadebe (2003-10-13)13 October 2003 (aged 19)   Mamelodi Sundowns
3 2DF Shannon Macomo 0   UJ
7 2DF Karabo Dhlamini (2001-09-18) 18 September 2001 (age 23) 24 1   Mamelodi Sundowns
5 2DF Fikile Magama (2002-01-19) 19 January 2002 (age 22) 8 0   UWC
14 2DF Tiisetso Makhubela (1997-04-24) 24 April 1997 (age 27) 24 2   Mamelodi Sundowns
19 2DF Lonathemba Mhlongo (2002-08-23) 23 August 2002 (age 22)   UWC
13 2DF Bambanani Mbane (1990-03-12) 12 March 1990 (age 34) 81 4   Mamelodi Sundowns
2 2DF Lebohang Ramalepe (1991-12-03) 3 December 1991 (age 33) 91 4   Mamelodi Sundowns

10 3MF Linda Motlhalo (1998-07-01) 1 July 1998 (age 26) 68 19   Racing Louisville
4 3MF Nonhlanhla Mthandi (1995-08-19) 19 August 1995 (age 29) 6 0   Mamelodi Sundowns
17 3MF Nondumiso Manengela  
19 3MF Kholosa Biyana (1994-09-06) 6 September 1994 (age 30) 38 2   Mamelodi Sundowns
3MF Amogelang Motau (1997-02-27) 27 February 1997 (age 27)   UWC

4FW Thembi Kgatlana (1996-05-02) 2 May 1996 (age 28) 71 24   UANL
4FW Thubelihle Shamase (2002-01-16) 16 January 2002 (age 22)   FC Gintra
10 4FW Nicole Lauren Michael (2001-01-17)17 January 2001 (aged 22) 1 1   TS Galaxy Queens
6 4FW Noxolo Cesane (2000-10-11) 11 October 2000 (age 24) 31 4   UWC
15 4FW Sinoxolo Cesane (2000-10-11) 11 October 2000 (age 24) 0 0   Mazatlán
6 4FW Hildah Magaia  
4FW Nthabiseng Majiya (2004-06-10) 10 June 2004 (age 20)   Mamelodi Sundowns

Recent call ups

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  • The following players have been called up to a South Africa squad in the past 12 months.
Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up


GK Regirl Ngobeni (1996-02-26) 26 February 1996 (age 28) 0   UWC v.   Nigeria, 1 April 2024PRE
GK Katlego Moletsane (1995-03-03) 3 March 1995 (age 29) 0   Royal AM v.   Nigeria, 9 April 2024

DF Noko Matlou (1985-09-30) 30 September 1985 (age 39) 168 66   Eibar v.   Nigeria, 9 April 2024
DF Boitumelo Rasehlo (1998-10-18)18 October 1998 (aged 24)   JVW v.   Nigeria, 1 April 2024PRE
DF Asanda Hadebe (2006-11-28) 28 November 2006 (age 18)   Mamelodi Sundowns v.   Nigeria, 1 April 2024PRE
DF Faith Nokuthula (2000-06-24) 24 June 2000 (age 24)   Blackburn Rovers v.   Burkina Faso, 4 December 2023
DF Janine van Wyk (1987-04-17) 17 April 1987 (age 37) 185 12   JVW v.   Burkina Faso, 4 December 2023
DF Asanda Hadebe (2003-10-13)13 October 2003 (aged 19)   Mamelodi Sundowns v.   Nigeria, 9 April 2024
DF Shannon Macomo 0   UJ v.   Nigeria, 9 April 2024

MF Refiloe Jane (1992-08-04) 4 August 1992 (age 32) 134 16   Sassuolo v.   Nigeria, 9 April 2024
MF Nomvula Kgoale (1995-11-20) 20 November 1995 (age 29) 21 5   TS Galaxy Queens v.   Nigeria, 9 April 2024
MF Samkelisiwe Selana (2004-07-07)7 July 2004 (aged 19)   TS Galaxy Queens v.   Nigeria, 1 April 2024PRE
MF Lesego Nkoane 1 0   TS Galaxy Queens v.   Nigeria, 1 April 2024PRE
MF Thalea Smidt (1997-12-27) 27 December 1997 (age 26)   Mamelodi Sundowns v.   Tanzania, 27 February 2024
MF Ayesha Moosa (2003-10-30)30 October 2003 (aged 19)   UJ v.   DR Congo, 30 October 2023
MF Mmabatho Mogale   JVW v.   Nigeria, 9 April 2024

FW Gabriela Salgado (1998-02-20) 20 February 1998 (age 26) 28 7   JVW v.   Nigeria, 9 April 2024
FW Jermaine Seoposenwe (1993-10-12) 12 October 1993 (age 31) 94 20   Monterrey v.   Nigeria, 9 April 2024
FW Wendy Shongwe (2003-01-18) 18 January 2003 (age 21) 1 0   University of Pretoria v.   Burkina Faso, 4 December 2023
FW Melinda Kgadiete (1992-07-21) 21 July 1992 (age 32) 26 3   Mamelodi Sundowns v.   DR Congo, 30 October 2023
FW Ayesha Moosa   UJ v.   Nigeria, 9 April 2024

Previous squads

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FIFA Women's World Cup
Summer Olympics
Africa Women Cup of Nations
COSAFA Women's Championship
Turkish Women's Cup

Records

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  • Active players in bold, statistics correct as of 2020.

Honours

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Continental

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Regional

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Competitive record

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FIFA Women's World Cup

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FIFA Women's World Cup record
Year Result Pld W D* L GF GA GD
  1991 Did not enter
  1995 Did not qualify
  1999
  2003
  2007
  2011
  2015
  2019 Group stage 3 0 0 3 1 8 −7
 
  2023
Round of 16 4 1 1 2 6 8 −2
  2027 To be determined
Total 2/9 7 1 1 5 7 16 −9
*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.
FIFA Women's World Cup history
Year Round Date Opponent Result Stadium
  2019 Group stage 8 June   Spain L 1–3 Stade Océane, Le Havre
13 June   China L 0–1 Parc des Princes, Paris
17 June   Germany L 0–4 Stade de la Mosson, Montpellier
   2023 Group Stage 23 July   Sweden L 1–2 Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington
28 July   Argentina D 2–2 Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
2 August   Italy W 3–2 Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington
Round of 16 6 August   Netherlands L 0–2 Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney

Olympic Games

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Summer Olympics record
Year Result Pld W D* L GS GA GD
  1996 Did not qualify
  2000
  2004
  2008
  2012 Group stage 3 0 1 2 1 7 −6
  2016 Group stage 3 0 1 2 0 3 −3
  2020 Did not qualify
  2024
Total 2/7 6 0 2 4 1 10 −9
*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

Africa Women Cup of Nations

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Africa Women Cup of Nations record
Year Round Pld W D* L GS GA GD
1991 Banned
1995 Runners-up 6 3 1 2 19 20 −1
  1998 Group stage 2 0 0 2 2 7 −5
  2000 Runners-up 5 4 0 1 9 3 +6
  2002 Fourth place 5 2 1 2 6 11 −5
  2004 Group stage 3 0 0 3 2 7 −5
  2006 Third place 5 2 1 2 8 5 +3
  2008 Runners-up 5 3 0 2 7 4 +3
  2010 Third place 5 3 1 1 10 6 +4
  2012 Runners-up 5 3 0 2 6 6 0
  2014 Fourth place 5 1 1 3 7 6 +1
  2016 Fourth place 5 1 1 3 5 3 +2
  2018 Runners-up 5 3 2 0 11 2 +9
  2020 Cancelled due to Covid
  2022 Champions 6 6 0 0 10 3 +7
  2024 Qualified
Total Champions: 1 time 62 31 8 23 102 83 +19
*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

African Games

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African Games record
Year Result Matches Wins Draws Losses GF GA
  2003 Runners- up 5 4 0 1 12 3
  2007 Runners- up 4 2 1 1 7 7
  2011 Fourth place 5 1 2 2 8 10
  2015 5th 2 0 2 0 1 1
  2019 7th 2 0 0 2 0 4
  2023 Did not qualify
Total 5/6 18 7 5 6 28 25

COSAFA Women's Championship

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COSAFA Women's Championship record
Year Round Pld W D* L GS GA GD
  2002 Champions 5 5 0 0 36 2 +34
  2006 Champions 4 4 0 0 19 2 +17
  2008 Champions
  2011 Runners-up 5 4 0 1 14 3 +11
  2017 Champions 5 3 2 0 12 3 +9
  2018 Champions 5 5 0 0 13 2 +11
  2019 Champions 5 5 0 0 27 2 +25
  2020 Champions 5 5 0 0 22 3 +19
  2021 Fourth place 5 2 2 1 8 6 +2
  2022 Runners-up 5 3 1 1 9 2 +7
  2023 Group stage 3 2 0 1 9 5 +4
  2024 Runners-up 5 3 2 0 13 2 +11
Total Winner 52 41 6 5 182 32 +150
*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

All−time record against FIFA recognized nations

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The list shown below shows the women's South Africa national soccer team's all−time international record against opposing nations.
*As of xxxxxx after match against xxxx.

Key
  Positive balance (more wins than losses)
  Neutral balance (as many wins as losses)
  Negative balance (more losses than wins)
Against Pld W D L GF GA GD Confederation

Record per opponent

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*As ofxxxxx after match against xxxxx.

Key
  Positive balance (more wins than losses)
  Neutral balance (as many wins as losses)
  Negative balance (more losses than wins)

The following table shows South Africa's all-time official international record per opponent:

Opponent Pld W D L GF GA GD W% Confederation
  Denmark 1 0 0 1 0 5 (5) 0 UEFA
  Jamaica 3 0 1 2 3 7 (4) 0 CONCACAF
Total

See also

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National teams

References

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  1. ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Women's World Ranking". FIFA. 16 August 2024. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
  2. ^ "Desiree Ellis: How a trailblazing coach lifted S African football". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
  3. ^ "Reflecting on Banyana Banyana". SAFA Official Website. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
  4. ^ "Record breaking Banyana thrash Comoros 17-0 in opening COSAFA clash". News24. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
  5. ^ "Africa's World Cup women raise unfair pay and sexual abuse – DW – 07/18/2023". dw.com. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
  6. ^ "Banyana secure historic passage to London". FIFA. 12 September 2011. Archived from the original on 27 September 2011. Retrieved 13 September 2011.
  7. ^ "How South Africa finally won its first Africa Women Cup of Nations title". Equalizer Soccer. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
  8. ^ "Banyana Banyana Qualifies for the Knockouts". News24. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
  9. ^ Summerscales, Robert (11 December 2023). "Victor Osimhen And Asisat Oshoala Win African Footballer Of The Year Prizes On Big Night For Nigeria At 2023 CAF Awards Ceremony". FanNation Futbol. Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
  10. ^ Shozi, Asanda (11 October 2023). "Banyana beat Eswatini but Bow Out of COSAFA Women's Champs". gsport4girls. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
  11. ^ "Dludlu To Lead Banyana At COSAFA Cup, Calls Up New-Look Squad". iDiski Times. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
  12. ^ a b c "Amajita's success shows we are on the right track – SAFA President". South African Football Association. 13 February 2019.
  13. ^ "New look Banyana squad named". Sport24. 17 September 2002.
  14. ^ "Winds of change blow in Africa". FIFA. 31 March 2006. Archived from the original on 5 March 2017.
  15. ^ Mailwane, Tshepang (3 May 2015). "Soccer heroes of '96 now shout the odds from touchlines". Sunday Times. Augustine Makalakalane: Not a regular at Bafana, "Mthakathi" worked as Banyana Banyana coach from 2006 to 2011. He failed to qualify the team for the World Cup and was fired. The 49-year-old was suspended before his dismissal for allegedly sexually harassing his players.
  16. ^ Moholoa, Ramatsiyi (28 July 2011). "Safa signs up Mkhonza full-time". The Sowetan.
  17. ^ "Former Banyana Coach Ends SAFA Relationship". Soccer Laduma. 8 October 2014.
  18. ^ "SAFA Confirm Pauw Appointment". Soccer Laduma. 13 March 2014.
  19. ^ Roberts, Cheryl (20 September 2016). "Safa should go local with new Banyana coach". Independent Online.
  20. ^ "Desiree Ellis named new Banyana coach". Sport24. 22 February 2018.
  21. ^ [httpshttps://x.com/Banyana_Banyana/status/1843607436399144980 Our ⭐️⭐️⭐️ our golden generation 💛 Our 23 player squad to participate in the European Tour]
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