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.

See also: South Africa national soccer team

South Africa
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 51 (14 June 2024)[1]
Highest45 (August 2023)
Lowest74 (June – September 2005; December 2007)
First international
 South Africa 14–0 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 resultChampions (2022)
Summer Olympics
Appearances2 (first in 2012)
Best result10th (2012)
COSAFA Women's Championship
Appearances10 (first in 2002)
Best resultChampions (2002, 2006, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022)
Medal record
Women's Africa Cup of Nations
2022 Morocco
2018 Ghana
2012 Equatorial Guinea
2008 Equatorial Guinea
2000 South Africa
2006 Nigeria
2010 South Africa


COSAFA Women's Championship
2002 Zimbabwe
2006 Zambia
2017 Zimbabwe
2018 South Africa
2019 South Africa
2020 South Africa
2022 South Africa
2011 Zimbabwe
2022 South Africa
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've also competed at all 10 COSAFA Women's Championships, where they won seven times, came second twice and finished in fourth place once.

History

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

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

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

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

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

Nicknames

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.

Results and fixtures

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
2 July Friendly South Africa  0–5  Botswana Brakpan, South Africa
15:00 UTC+2
  • Gaonyadiwe 5', 13'
  • Dithebe 24'
  • Tholakele 27', 79'
 Stadium: Tsakane Stadium
Referee: Vistoria Shangula (Namibia)
15 July Friendly South Africa  2–0  Costa Rica Christchurch, New Zealand
  • Thembi Kgatlana 33'
  • Hildah Magaia 55'
 Stadium: Ngā Puna Wai Sports Hub
23 July FIFA WC Group Sweden  2–1  South Africa Wellington, New Zealand
17:00 UTC+12
Report
Stadium: Wellington Regional Stadium
Attendance: 18,317
Referee: Ekaterina Koroleva (United States)
28 July FIFA WC Group Argentina  2–2  South Africa Dunedin, New Zealand
 Report
Stadium: Forsyth Barr Stadium
Attendance: 8,834
Referee: Anna-Marie Keighley (New Zealand)
2 August FIFA WC Group South Africa  3–2  Italy Wellington, New Zealand
 Report Caruso 11' (pen.), 74' Stadium: Wellington Regional Stadium
Attendance: 14,967
Referee: María Carvajal (Chile)
6 August FIFA WC R16 Netherlands  2–0  South Africa Sydney, Australia
 Report Stadium: Sydney Football Stadium
Attendance: 40,233
Referee: Yoshimi Yamashita (Japan)
21 September 2023 (2023-09-21) Friendly United States  3–0  South Africa Cincinnati, Ohio
19:30 ET
Stadium: TQL Stadium
Attendance: 22,016
Referee: Katia Garcia (Mexico)
24 September 2023 (2023-09-24) Friendly United States  2–0  South Africa Chicago, Illinois
17:30 ET
Report Stadium: Soldier Field
Attendance: 25,622
Referee: Carly Shaw-MacLaren (Canada)
4 October 2023 (2023-10-04) 2023 COSAFA WC GS South Africa  3–4  Malawi Pretoria, South Africa
12:00 UTC+2
Report
Stadium: Lucas Moripe Stadium
Referee: Antsino Twanyanyukwa (Namibia)
10 October 2023 (2023-10-10) 2023 COSAFA WC GS South Africa  3–1  Madagascar Johannesburg, South Africa
15:30 UTC+2
  • Velomanantsolo 43'
 Stadium: Dobsonville Stadium
Referee: Vistoria Shangula (Namibia)
10 October 2023 (2023-10-10) 2023 COSAFA WC GS Eswatini  0–3  South Africa Johannesburg, South Africa
15:30 UTC+2 Report
Stadium: Dobsonville Stadium
Referee: Rosalie Rosalie (Madagascar)
25 October 2023 (2023-10-25) 2024 Olympic qualifying DR Congo  1–1  South Africa Kinshasa, DR Congo
15:30 UTC+1
Report
Stadium: Stade des Martyrs
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
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.
1 June 2023 (2023-06-01) Friendly Senegal  1–1  South Africa Thiès, Senegal
17:00 UTC±0
Stadium: Stade Lat-Dior
4 June 2023 (2023-06-04) Friendly Senegal  0–2  South Africa Thiès, Senegal
17:00 UTC±0
Stadium: Stade Lat-Dior

Source: Global Sports Archive

Coaching staff

Current coaching staff
PositionNameRef.
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


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 2002 – 2004
August Makalakalane[14][15]  South Africa 2006 – 2011
Joseph Mkhonza[16][17]  South Africa 2011 – 2014
Vera Pauw[18][19]  Netherlands 2014 – 2016
Desiree Ellis[20]  South Africa 2016 – present

Players

Current squad
No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK Kaylin Swart (1994-09-30) 30 September 1994 36 0 JVW
1GK Dineo Magagula (1994-10-14) 14 October 1994 TS Galaxy Queens
1 1GK Katlego Moletsane (1995-03-03) 3 March 1995 0 Royal AM
7 2DF Karabo Dhlamini (2001-09-18) 18 September 2001 24 1 Mamelodi Sundowns
5 2DF Fikile Magama (2002-01-19) 19 January 2002 8 0 UWC
14 2DF Tiisetso Makhubela (1997-04-24) 24 April 1997 24 2 Mamelodi Sundowns
19 2DF Lonathemba Mhlongo (2002-08-23) 23 August 2002 UWC
13 2DF Bambanani Mbane (1990-03-12) 12 March 1990 81 4 Mamelodi Sundowns
2 2DF Asanda Hadebe (2003-10-13)13 October 2003 (aged 19) Mamelodi Sundowns
2 2DF Lebohang Ramalepe (1991-12-03) 3 December 1991 91 4 Mamelodi Sundowns
3 2DF Shannon Macomo 0 UJ
10 3MF Linda Motlhalo (1998-07-01) 1 July 1998 68 19 Racing Louisville
18 3MF Sibulele Holweni (2001-04-28) 28 April 2001 31 16 UWC
4 3MF Nonhlanhla Mthandi (1995-08-19) 19 August 1995 6 0 Mamelodi Sundowns
17 3MF Mmabatho Mogale JVW
3MF Amogelang Motau (1997-02-27) 27 February 1997 UWC
19 3MF Kholosa Biyana (1994-09-06) 6 September 1994 38 2 Mamelodi Sundowns
15 4FW Sinoxolo Cesane (2000-10-11) 11 October 2000 0 0 Mazatlán
4FW Thubelihle Shamase (2002-01-16) 16 January 2002 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 31 4 UWC
8 4FW Ayesha Moosa UJ
4FW Nthabiseng Majiya (2004-06-10) 10 June 2004 Mamelodi Sundowns

Recent call ups
  • 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 Victoria Tshidi Muroa (1995-03-03)3 March 1995 (aged 28) TUT 2023 COSAFA Women's Championship
GK Andile Dlamini (1992-09-02) 2 September 1992 69 0 Mamelodi Sundowns v.  Nigeria, 1 April 2024PRE
GK Regirl Ngobeni (1996-02-26) 26 February 1996 0 UWC v.  Nigeria, 1 April 2024PRE
DF Karabo Makhurubetshi (1999-02-03) 3 February 1999 Mamelodi Sundowns 2023 Turkish Women's Cup
DF Morongwa Manemela (2000-04-12)12 April 2000 (aged 23) TUKS 2023 COSAFA Women's Championship
DF Ntombifikile Ndlovu (1998-07-23)23 July 1998 (aged 25) UWC Ladies 2023 COSAFA Women's Championship
DF Unathi Simayile (2001-02-08)8 February 2001 (aged 22) UWC Ladies 2023 COSAFA Women's Championship
DF Raesetja Mogale (1990-04-12)12 April 1990 (aged 33) Royal AM Ladies 2023 COSAFA Women's Championship
DF Khensani Nkuna (1998-03-23)23 March 1998 (aged 25) Royal AM Ladies 2023 COSAFA Women's Championship
DF Faith Nokuthula (2000-06-24) 24 June 2000 Blackburn Rovers v.  Burkina Faso, 4 December 2023
DF Janine van Wyk JVW v.  Burkina Faso, 4 December 2023
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 Mamelodi Sundowns v.  Nigeria, 1 April 2024PRE
DF Noko Matlou (1985-09-30) 30 September 1985 168 66 Eibar v.  Nigeria, 9 April 2024
MF Robyn Moodaly (1994-06-16) 16 June 1994 42 2 JVW v.  United States,24 September 2023
MF Nomfundo Buthelezi (1999-02-20)20 February 1999 (aged 24) Durban Ladies 2023 COSAFA Women's Championship
MF Ayesha Moosa (2003-10-30)30 October 2003 (aged 19) UJ v.  DR Congo, 30 October 2023
MF Sphumelele Shamase (2002-01-16) 16 January 2002 UJ v.  Tanzania, 27 February 2024
MF Thalea Smidt (1997-12-27) 27 December 1997 Mamelodi Sundowns v.  Tanzania, 27 February 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 Refiloe Jane (1992-08-04) 4 August 1992 134 16 Sassuolo v.  Nigeria, 9 April 2024
MF Nomvula Kgoale (1995-11-20) 20 November 1995 21 5 TS Galaxy Queens v.  Nigeria, 9 April 2024
FW Lelona Daweti (1999-09-08) 8 September 1999 Mamelodi Sundowns v.  Serbia, 10 April 2023
FW Tshogofatso Motlogelwa (2000-04-29)29 April 2000 (aged 23) TUT 2023 COSAFA Women's Championship
FW Jade Jones Magic Ladies 2023 COSAFA Women's Championship
FW Chelsea Daniels (2002-04-08)8 April 2002 (aged 21) UWC Ladies 2023 COSAFA Women's Championship
FW Lizza Mokoena (1997-04-08)8 April 1997 (aged 26) TUT 2023 COSAFA Women's Championship
FW Melinda Kgadiete (1992-07-21) 21 July 1992 26 3 Mamelodi Sundowns v.  DR Congo, 30 October 2023
FW Wendy Shongwe (2003-01-18) 18 January 2003 1 0 University of Pretoria v.  Burkina Faso, 4 December 2023
FW Gabriela Salgado (1998-02-20) 20 February 1998 28 7 JVW v.  Nigeria, 9 April 2024
FW Jermaine Seoposenwe (1993-10-12) 12 October 1993 94 20 Monterrey v.  Nigeria, 9 April 2024
FW Thembi Kgatlana (1996-05-02) 2 May 1996 71 24 UANL v.  Nigeria, 9 April 2024

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

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

Honours

Continental

Regional


Competitive record

FIFA Women's World Cup
Main article: South Africa at the FIFA Women's World Cup
FIFA Women's World Cup record
Year Result Pld W D* L GF GA GD
1991Did not enter
1995Did not qualify
1999
2003
2007
2011
2015
2019Group stage300318−7

2023		Round of 16411268−2
2027 To be determined
Total2/97115716−9
*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.
FIFA Women's World Cup history
YearRoundDateOpponentResultStadium
2019 Group stage8 June SpainL 1–3Stade Océane, Le Havre
13 June ChinaL 0–1Parc des Princes, Paris
17 June GermanyL 0–4Stade de la Mosson, Montpellier
2023 Group Stage23 July SwedenL 1–2Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington
28 July ArgentinaD 2–2Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
2 August ItalyW 3–2Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington
Round of 166 August NetherlandsL 0–2Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney

Olympic Games
Summer Olympics record
Year Result Pld W D* L GS GA GD
1996Did not qualify
2000
2004
2008
2012Group stage301217−6
2016Group stage301203−3
2020Did not qualify
2024
Total2/76024110−9
*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

Africa Women Cup of Nations
Africa Women Cup of Nations record
Year Round Pld W D* L GS GA GD
1991Banned
1995Runners-up63121920−1
1998Group stage200227−5
2000Runners-up540193+6
2002Fourth place5212611−5
2004Group stage300327−5
2006Third place521285+3
2008Runners-up530274+3
2010Third place5311106+4
2012Runners-up5302660
2014Fourth place511376+1
2016Fourth place511353+2
2018Runners-up5320112+9
2020Cancelled due to Covid
2022Champions6600103+7
2024 Qualified
TotalChampions: 1 time623182310283+19
*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

African Games
African Games record
Year Result Matches Wins Draws Losses GF GA
2003Runners- up5401123
2007Runners- up421177
2011Fourth place5122810
20155th202011
20197th200204
2023 Did not qualify
Total5/6187562825

COSAFA Women's Championship
COSAFA Women's Championship record
Year Round Pld W D* L GS GA GD
2002Champions5500362+34
2006Champions4400192+17
2008Champions
2011Runners-up5401143+11
2017Champions5320123+9
2018Champions5500132+11
2019Champions5500272+25
2020Champions5500223+19
2021Fourth place522186+2
2022Runners-up531192+7
2023 Group stage320195+4
TotalWinner47384516930+139
*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

All−time record against FIFA recognized nations

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

    *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
    Total—

    See also
    National teams

    References
    1. "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Women's World Ranking". FIFA. 14 June 2024. Retrieved 14 June 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. "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. Banyana Banyana🇿🇦 23-member squad to take on Senegal 🇸🇳 in two International Friendly Matches.
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