All eyes on Bafana Bafana, but Banyana Banyana also needs attention

What will it take to bring Banyana Banyana to the next level?

Coach Dr Desiree Ellis has lauded her team’s success despite less investment in women’s grassroots football.

With all the attention on Bafana Bafana’s success, is it time we paid closer attention to the female soccer team?

Coach assesses state of women’s football development

Dr Ellis made important assessments during the announcement of the team for the Olympic qualifier against Madagascar in October.

Speaking at the SAFA House on 25 September, as cited by a video on Daily Sun, she commented on her desire to see women’s football in the country built from the roots up.

She specifically mentioned the Women’s Super League, which follows a new format from 2027, according to the SAFA website.

The Banyana coach asked questions about the domestic league being split into two streams, with each team playing 14 games.

“We are not where we went to be with our league,” she admitted, explaining that it was a primary source for selections.

However, Dr Ellis acknowledged that recent developments were “a step in the right direction.”

She also commented on a need for stronger school-level soccer and improved structures for referees and officials.

What has Banyana Bayana achieved so far?

Dr Ellis’s comments framed the team’s success against limited investment into the women’s game at this stage.

Some of Banyana’s recent achievements include:

• In 2022, they won the Women’s AFCON, defeating Morocco in the final and qualifying for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
• In the 2023 World Cup, Banyana reached the Round of 16, where they were defeated by the Netherlands.
• The team were losing semi-finalists in the 2024 WAFCON against Nigeria (2-1).
• The team reached the 2026 WAFCON quarter-finals, where they fell 1-2 to Morocco.

Banyana have a last chance to qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup via the inter-confederation playoffs.

They face Chinese Taipei, Ecuador, and Uzbekistan in November and December.

These recent results tie into Dr Ellis’s comments about the women’s team “punching above their weight.”

Despite a smaller, less-developed domestic structure, Banyana have consistently defied the odds.

While Bafana Bafana should be celebrated, is it time we start giving the women’s team credit where it’s due?

DO YOU AGREE WITH DESIREE ELLIS’S REMARKS ABOUT WOMEN’S SOCCER DEVELOPMENT?

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