
Banyana Banyana gear up for Tri-Nations Series match against Zambia
JOHANNESBURG – Banyana Banyana to face Zambia on Tuesday for their final Tri-Nations Series, following a 3-2 win against Botswana.
Kick-off for the match is set for 15:00 at Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville, Pretoria.
The Tri-Nations Series is in preparation for the Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) with Banyana Banyana getting off to a good start less than two months before the tournament scheduled for July 5-26.
Desiree Ellis' team played to a five-goal thriller against Botswana, winning 3-2 last Wednesday, 28 May, at the Lucas Moripe Stadium.
'The Zambian team brings something different (compared to Botswana), their front three are really quick. Our defensive organisation has to be really good, and when we win the ball, we have to make sure that we hurt them. That's going to be really important,' said Ellis.
The Copper Queens were held to a 1-1 draw by Botswana on Saturday and are looking to sharpen their tactical edge ahead of WAFCON.
The tournament in Morocco was supposed to have been played last year, but was postponed to this year as it was clashing with the Olympic Games in Paris.
Banyana have been fixtured in Group C against Ghana, Mali and Tanzania.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

IOL News
16 hours ago
- IOL News
Defending champions Banyana Banyana will adopt a fresh perspective at the 2025 WAFCON
Banyana Banyana will defend their WAFCON title but despite their standing, they will merely rank among the challengers at the 2025 CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations from 5-26 July, in Morocco. While the team will look to build on their historic victory in 2022, the South African national women's football team is entering the tournament with an eye on contention. Speaking at Friday's press conference, Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis said, 'We are there as defending champions. But more importantly, we are going there as a contender. Like everyone else. And what happened in the past is in the past; it's a new tournament.' This refreshing perspective underscores the team's commitment to approach the tournament with a focused mindset, acknowledging the developments in the women's game in countries across Africa. Ellis emphasised the importance of taking it one step at a time. 'The game has evolved. Countries have evolved. They have put in investments. So we are going there as one of the contenders,' said Ellis, adding the team's approach would remain consistent: 'We're going to take it day by day, like we did in the past. And game by game.' This clear strategy reflects Ellis's understanding of the tournament dynamics. She highlighted the crucial role of the opening match, stating: 'The first game is the most important. In 2018 and 2022, the first game is the most important because it sets the tone for the rest of the tournament.' Ellis emphasised the need to manage player fatigue as the tournament progresses, hinting at a tactical rotation of players to maintain freshness during the latter stages. 'It (the opening match) also sets the tone for when we can rotate players and make sure that when it gets to the latter stages of the tournament, the players are fresh,' she said. With its blend of experience and new talent, Banyana Banyana promises not just to be a force as defending champions but as a team determined to make their mark against an ever-evolving backdrop of women's football in Africa. Coach Desiree Ellis will announce the final squad of 21 players on Monday, alongside two additional players who will remain on standby. Ellis praised the contributions of Jermaine Seoposenwe, who announced her intention to retire from the national team following the upcoming WAFCON. She conveyed her heartfelt gratitude to Seoposenwe, acknowledging her significant impact on the team while also respecting her decision to step away. In another notable absence, the renowned striker Thembi Kgatlana will not participate in the WAFCON squad due to 'personal reasons'. Kgatlana, currently playing for Tigres UANL Femenil in the Mexico Women's Premier League, has been a vital contributor to the success of the team over the years, making her exclusion a significant blow for Banyana Banyana. The team departs for Morocco on Tuesday, 24 June. Banyana Banyana will play in Group C alongside Ghana, Tanzania, and Mali. Banyana Banyana's provisional WAFCON Morocco 2024 squad: Goalkeepers: Kaylin Swart, Andile Dlamini, Dineo Magagula, Casey Gordon Defenders: Lebohang Ramalepe, Fikile Magama, Shakira O'Malley, Gabriela Salgado, Tiisetso Makhubela, Bambanani Mbane, Karabo Dhlamini, Lonathemba Mhlongo, Bongeka Gamede Midfielders: Sibulele Holweni, Linda Motlhalo, Nonhlanhla Mthandi, Refiloe Jane, Amogelang Motau, Regina Mogolola, Noxolo Cesane, Bongiwe Thusi, Adrielle Mibe, Kgaelebane Mohlakoana Forwards: Hildah Magaia, Jermaine Seoposenwe, Nthabiseng Majiya, Bonolo Mokoma, Ronnel Donnely

IOL News
2 days ago
- IOL News
Springbok Sevens ‘A' side ends Rugby Africa Sevens pool stage on high after slow start
Ricardo Duarttee brought loads of experience and his trademark trickery to the Springbok Sevens 'A' side in Mauritius at the weekend. Image: Shaun Roy/BackpagePix The Springbok Sevens 'A' side slowly warmed to their task in the pool stage of the Rugby Africa Sevens at the Labourdonnais Sports Club in Mauritius on Saturday, with victories over Nigeria, Zambia and Burkina Faso. The South Africans began the tournament with a 17-5 victory over Nigeria's Black Stallions in a scrappy, error-strewn opening match where they struggled to find their rhythm or assert themselves on their opponents. It took one moment of brilliance – a dummy pass from the energetic Ricardo Duarttee, or 'Tricky Ricky' – to send Joel Leotlela over in the right-hand corner for the only score of the first half. Flyer Sebastiaan Jobb had an almost immediate impact off the bench in the second stanza, his converted try after 11 minutes stretching SA's lead to 12-0. Personal goals and team objectives will need to combine if South Africa want positive results at the Rugby Africa Sevens in Mauritius this weekend - more here: 👊#PoweredByUnity #Blitzboks — Springbok Sevens (@Blitzboks) June 20, 2025 Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading The Nigerians hit back two minutes later to reduce the lead to 12-5. It was no more than their endeavour deserved, even if they were guilty of schoolboy handling errors at times. Masande Mtshali had the final say for the Springbok Sevens 'A' side. He dotted down in the right-hand corner after some good inter-passing as the favourites seemed to have finally woken from their slumber. There would be no further additions to the scoreline but Philip Snyman's charges will have been left with plenty to ponder going into the second match of the tournament. The South Africans started the second pool match against Zambia far better than the first, a foot in touch denying Grant de Jager the early score. But a few minutes later, they made the most of turnover ball on the Zambian tryline for Joubert Schoeman to score. The Zambians levelled the score at 7-7. But their joy was short-lived, after Schoeman rose high and collected the ball off the kick-off to canter over the whitewash. The game seemed headed for a thrilling second half after Zambia fought back to draw level again before half-time (14-14). However, the class of the South Africans finally told. Mfundo Ndhlovu showed great strength, shrugging off tackles and powering over the line as the Springbok Sevens 'A' side eventually ran out 33-14 winners. Mfundo Ndhlovu showed off all his skills for the Springbok Sevens 'A' side on the opening day of the Rugby Africa Sevens in Mauritius. Image: Henk Kruger/Independent Newspapers


The South African
2 days ago
- The South African
Adriaan Wildschutt plots his record-breaking path
Adriaan Wildschutt returned to Paris on Friday night for the first time since his debut Olympic Games last year with the intention of using the Diamond League experience as another step towards his goal of medalling at the World Championships in September. However, the 27-year-old Olympian had contemplated withdrawing from the race after waking up 'very sick' on Friday morning and didn't threaten his personal best in the 5 000m (12:55.02) which he set in March. He finished 14th in 13:28.67 in Paris, in a race won by Ethiopian Yomif Kejelcha (12:47.84) and contained an array of season bests, personal bests and national records. 'I didn't want to give up before I even tried. It turns out, not the best decision on my end. But we learn and move on. Trust me when I say, we will be back way better and stronger,' he wrote on his social media. That debut Olympic campaign last August saw Adriaan Wildschutt feature in the fastest 10 000m in Olympic history. Thirteen of the finalists broke the previous Olympic record including Wildschutt who finished 10th in 26:50.64. Breaking records has become habit to the Florida State University MBA graduate. Since the beginning of 2023, he has lowered the national record in the 3 000m, 5 000m, and 10 000m a total of seven times combined. There is no sign of him relenting as he chases new personal bests in each event. Those PBs now happen to be NRs. 'It is always a nice feeling to win a race, but my focus is the time. My goal is to break South African records and continue to raise the bar. Each race has its own field and its own conditions so focusing on my time helps to keep me on track towards my goals without being hung up on one event going well or not. If I continue with my plan, I will keep seeing improvement which I hope will take me to where I want to be.' After the 10 000m Olympic final in Paris, Wildschutt told his Instagram followers that he went into the final with the idea to compete against the best in the world. His performance however, showed that he too belongs in that category. He is now preparing for the World Championships in Tokyo with that belief. 'I have felt a mental shift since then. I can feel it in the way I prepare and train for events. I am no longer trying to just compete. I am now one of those guys looking to win medals. All my training this year is for Tokyo. I will be up against the best yet again, so I know it will not be easy, but I believe I can achieve a medal.' The World Championships is not the final stage in Adriaan Wildschutt's history-seeking career. His focus will begin to shift towards more road races with the first being a half marathon (21km) in October. 'I have a half marathon planned for Valencia after the Worlds. I want to compete in at least one half marathon every year. The 2028 Olympics will be my last as a track runner because I want to transition to the road races for 2032.' South Africa's long-distance specialist loves the busy schedule he has created. He is dedicated to his training and competing and is constantly in pursuit of personal improvement. Off the track, he is based in Arizona, USA, and is currently working on his autobiography. He is also maintaining his Airbnb located in Stellenbosch and has recently begun a business with three partners in America. The busy lifestyle helps him keep a healthy balance between his running and his future that follows. That future is still distant. Now, the World Championships take centre stage, followed by a blend of track and road events, as well as the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. His work ethic, mindset and talent should see him continue his record-breaking habit during this time. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.