Banyana Banyana Ready to Defend WAFCON Crown in Morocco

As the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) tournament approaches in Morocco, Banyana Banyana’s head coach, Desiree Ellis, has expressed confidence in her final squad’s ability to defend their coveted title. In a recently announced 24-player squad, which includes two non-travelling reserves in Nthabiseng Majiya and Casey Gordon, Ellis revealed that the team has the right balance of experience, versatility, and depth to rise to the occasion and showcase their strength once again on the continental stage.

A Versatile Squad for a Tough Challenge

Coach Desiree Ellis has long been a key figure in South African women’s football, and her experience shines through in her strategic approach to selecting players for the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. While the competition in Morocco is expected to be fierce, Ellis is certain that Banyana Banyana has the right tools to navigate through the tournament successfully.

Speaking to SABC Sport, Ellis highlighted the importance of flexibility and adaptability within the squad, especially when competing at the highest level. “There are different phases in challenging for a continental title,” Ellis explained. “We need players who can transition from one position to another in case key players get injured, or other circumstances arise during the tournament.”

The coach noted that the recent friendly matches had showcased the team’s versatility, which would be essential in defending their WAFCON title. Key players like Refiloe Jane, for example, have demonstrated their ability to play in multiple roles across the field. “Refiloe Jane has played every position on the field, except as a goalkeeper,” Ellis shared. “This level of flexibility will be crucial for us in Morocco.”

Another versatile player, Oarabile Ramalepe, was also mentioned as someone who can seamlessly switch between roles. “Ramalepe can play both as a defender and as an attacking winger. This kind of versatility will give us a great advantage in such a highly competitive tournament,” Ellis continued.

Having versatile players allows Ellis to adjust her game plan based on the evolving nature of a match, whether it’s a change in opposition tactics or unforeseen injuries. This strategic depth could prove to be the difference between winning and losing a key match during the tournament.

The Rise of Emerging Talent and Absentee Challenges

While Ellis has her final squad set, the absence of star forward Thembi Kgatlana from the tournament has left a noticeable gap in the team. Kgatlana, who requested to be released from the squad due to personal reasons, is widely regarded as one of South Africa’s top football talents. Her absence ahead of the tournament is undoubtedly a setback, but Ellis remains confident in the team’s ability to adapt.

“There’s no two ways about it, Thembi Kgatlana is one of the country’s top players, and her absence is unfortunate. However, we have seen in previous tournaments, such as the 2022 WAFCON, that when one player is missing, others step up,” said Ellis.

Indeed, the 2022 edition of WAFCON proved that Banyana Banyana is not reliant on one player. The team had displayed remarkable depth, with several players stepping into leadership roles when needed. This mindset, of course, extends to the current squad, where emerging stars have the opportunity to rise to the occasion.

One such rising talent is Casey Gordon, who was initially part of the broader squad but remains a non-travelling reserve for the tournament. Ellis explained that the decision to keep Gordon as a reserve was primarily due to her lack of experience at the senior international level. “Casey Gordon lost out due to her lack of experience,” Ellis admitted. “It wouldn’t have been fair to throw her in the deep end in such a high-pressure environment.”

This decision, however, does not diminish Gordon’s potential. Ellis emphasized that the door is always open for young players like her to develop and be ready for future opportunities with Banyana Banyana.

Overcoming Goalkeeping Challenges

Another challenge that Ellis pointed out is the shortage of high-quality goalkeeping coaches in South Africa, which has affected the development of players in this critical position. “We do have a bit of a problem with goalkeeping,” Ellis explained. “There is a shortage of qualified goalkeeping coaches in the country, and when players arrive in camp, some of the basic goalkeeping skills are still missing from their game.”

Despite this, Ellis has been working closely with the team’s goalkeepers to ensure they are prepared for the tournament. The ability to rely on solid goalkeeping will be a crucial element for Banyana Banyana’s success, as tournament football often hinges on key moments between the posts.

Defending the Title: The Mindset of Champions

As the defending champions of WAFCON, Banyana Banyana are certainly under pressure to perform and retain their title. However, Ellis made it clear that her team will not take their status as defending champions for granted. “We are the defending champions, but we have to remember that we are also contenders in this competition. There are no guarantees in football, and every team will be looking to dethrone us.”

This mindset of humility and focus is likely to keep the squad grounded, ensuring they stay focused on the task at hand rather than resting on their laurels. The Banyana Banyana squad, under Ellis’s leadership, has already proven that they are capable of overcoming adversity, and their goal remains the same: to lift the WAFCON trophy once more.

Check also: Banyana Banyana Head to WAFCON with Confidence After Winning All Warm-Up Matches

As the countdown to the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations draws closer, Banyana Banyana’s final squad has been carefully selected to meet the demands of the tournament. The versatility within the team, the emergence of new talent, and the strategic leadership of Desiree Ellis all point toward a strong challenge to defend their WAFCON title. Despite the absence of key players and challenges faced in goalkeeping, Ellis’s confidence in her squad is unwavering.

As always, Banyana Banyana will need the support of the nation as they embark on this difficult yet exciting journey to retain their crown as Africa’s best women’s football team.