Banyana Banyana’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) success is the culmination of years of tears, joy, determination, and disappointments. Each of the five times they lost in the final of the tournament left a scar on the team.
The defeat in 2000, on home soil, cut deep. Especially because of how it ended. The match had to be abandoned after three failed restarts due to fan trouble as the home crowd threw missiles onto the pitch after Nigeria took a 2-0 lead in the 72nd minute.
Desiree Ellis was the captain of that team. It was Banyana’s golden generation, with stars like Portia Modise, Veronica Phewa and Makhosane Zungu also in the team. That loss was a reminder that having stars and home support is not enough.
But before 2000, there was the disappointment of 1995. That one didn’t cut as deep. Banyana were rookies in the international space with the country readmitted by Fifa and the Confederation of African Football only in 1992. It was just a lesson. The continental title would come soon enough. The fact that Nigeria were the winners on both occasions meant that Nigeria had a mental advantage over Banyana. They were this immovable object that Banyana couldn’t overcome.
So when Equatorial Guinea lay in wait in the final in 2008, the belief was that things would change. But it didn’t. The Equatoguineans used the home advantage better than Banyana, beating the team 2-1. The honest truth then was that Banyana were just not good enough. Equatorial Guinea were more organised and determined, which led to them becoming only the second country after Nigeria to win the women’s African showpiece.
Equatorial Guinea once again stood in Banyana’s way in the 2012 showpiece. But unlike four years ago, Banyana were much better and were even Olympians after making their Olympics debut in the 2012 Games in London. That trip to England washed away the tears of the near misses before it. It also strengthened the team after being blown away by Sweden and Canada but salvaging some pride with a 0-0 draw with Japan who had already qualified for the next round.
Despite that, the Wafcon was a tall bridge for Banyana to climb. They once again lost to Equatorial Guinea. This time around, they did beat Nigeria – eliminating the Super Falcons in the semifinals. That was Banyana’s first win over Nigeria in a competitive game. By the time they reached the final, they had exerted themselves too much as the match against Nigeria felt like a final before the final.
Women’s football was restructured after that in South Africa. The South African Football Association (Safa) made it a policy that only women would coach the women’s national team. Vera Pauw replaced Joseph Mkhonza, and took the team to another level tactically. But the Dutch coach's failure to get the country's cultural dynamics meant there were limitations to her tenure, antagonising players and losing the dressing room over instructions that they shouldn't sing before a match as it wastes energy.
Enter Desiree Ellis.
The former Banyana captain spent over a year holding the job in the interim. She was given the post on a fulltime basis before the 2018 Wafcon. The team continued to show they were over Nigeria being their bogey team. They beat the side in the group stage and comfortably cruised to the final where they faced the Super Falcons. Reaching the final meant that they had qualified for the World Cup for the first time. Cape Coast was festive when Banyana made that history.
Ellis – who had kept the t-shirts that were written “Canada here we come”, with the team thinking they would qualify for the showpiece by finishing third in Namibia in 2016 – finally would be going to the World Cup. The loss to Nigeria in the final was hard, but the World Cup qualification cushioned that disappointment.
When the team left Ghana, they were driven in their belief that they would be African champions. A number of the team’s players received contracts abroad and Banyana matured. They went to Morocco as one of the favourites with a settled team that had a good blend of experience and youth. They once again got the better of Nigeria in the opening round. In the final, they had to face the hosts. Morocco were no match, as by now Banyana had mastered how to take on a team in the final in their own backyard. They put the pressure on Morocco from the onset, comfortably controlling the match.
The tears that flowed after the final were tears of joy with the side finally conquering the continent. It took 30 years, but the team finally laid their hands on the most prized possession in women’s football in the continent.
Judging by the team they have, this trophy will call South Africa home for many years to come. The side has what it takes to defend their trophy in 2024. The veterans – apart from Noko Matlou and Janine van Wyk – still have more years in their legs. The spine of the team is made up of Thembi Kgatlana, Refiloe Jane, Jermaine Seoposenwe, Lebogang Ramalepe, Andile Dlamini and Hildah Magaia who will be with the side in the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand and also in 2024.
Ellis has done well in refreshing the team while also strengthening it. Most dynasties have struggled with that, with players growing old together and then failing to reclaim their glory. This team has a core that will still be in the game for years to come, while its youth brigade are shining in the side which puts them in a good position to take over the baton when they have to.
The team’s makeup, as well as the winning mentality that Ellis has instilled, means that this Wafcon success is just the start of continental dominance. Beating Nigeria was massive, as it ended the mental stranglehold the team has had over Banyana. This side not only has the Wafcon to prove that they are the best team in Africa, but also the belief that they are the best in the continent and will hold that position for a long time.
Now we need to show the rest of the world that Banyana Banyana are here to play.