Banyana Banyana Lauded for Brave WAFCON Run Despite Heartbreaking Exit

Dr Jordaan led the nation in wishing Salgado a speedy and full recovery, acknowledging the deep impact her injury had on both teammates and coaching staff.


Devdiscourse News Desk | Pretoria | Updated: 23-07-2025 19:17 IST | Created: 23-07-2025 19:17 IST
Banyana Banyana Lauded for Brave WAFCON Run Despite Heartbreaking Exit
Banyana Banyana entered the tournament as defending WAFCON champions, having claimed their historic first title in 2022 under Coach Desiree Ellis. Image Credit: Twitter(@GovernmentZA)
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The South African senior women's national football team, Banyana Banyana, has received national praise for their spirited performance at the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), despite being edged out 2-1 by Nigeria in a tense semi-final clash on Tuesday night. The match, played at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca, Morocco, marked a dramatic and emotional turning point in the tournament for the reigning champions.

South Africa Applauds Banyana’s Resilience

In a public message posted on X (formerly Twitter), the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture expressed the country’s admiration for the team's performance:

“Well done Banyana Banyana! Mzansi is very proud of how far you’ve come.”

This sentiment was echoed by South African Football Association (SAFA) President Dr Danny Jordaan, who extended both gratitude and encouragement to the team:

“Banyana Banyana fought very well, and it was a brave performance from the WAFCON defending champions. You have established yourselves as one of the best teams on the continent.”

Jordaan also praised the entire squad and staff, including Head of Delegation Thabile Msomi, Coach Dr Desiree Ellis, and Captain Refiloe Jane, for their dedication and passion throughout the tournament.

A Match Overshadowed by Injury and Emotion

The semi-final encounter against arch-rivals Nigeria was a high-stakes, high-intensity match that unfortunately took a tragic turn late in the game. In the 83rd minute, Gabriela Salgado, a key attacking midfielder for South Africa, suffered a serious injury, which significantly impacted the morale and composure of the team.

According to a statement by SAFA, the injury incident “visibly traumatised the Banyana Banyana players and the entire South African bench,” and the emotional fallout contributed to the team’s inability to fully recover in the final moments of the match.

Dr Jordaan led the nation in wishing Salgado a speedy and full recovery, acknowledging the deep impact her injury had on both teammates and coaching staff.

Proud Defenders of the Continental Title

Banyana Banyana entered the tournament as defending WAFCON champions, having claimed their historic first title in 2022 under Coach Desiree Ellis. Their 2025 campaign demonstrated resilience, tactical discipline, and attacking flair, despite the challenges posed by injuries and fierce competition.

Their road to the semi-final included standout performances in the group stages and a hard-fought quarter-final victory that reaffirmed their stature as one of the top women's football teams on the African continent.

Though their dream of defending the title came to an end in the semi-final, their strong team spirit, commitment, and performance have earned them respect and admiration across Africa and beyond.

Looking Ahead: Bronze Medal Match and Future Aspirations

Banyana Banyana will now regroup and prepare for the third-place playoff match, scheduled before the tournament concludes on 26 July 2025. A win would secure them a podium finish and further boost their FIFA rankings ahead of upcoming international competitions.

Meanwhile, Coach Desiree Ellis and her technical team are expected to use the remainder of the tournament to give opportunities to emerging players, refine tactics, and build on the team’s growing legacy.

A Beacon for Women’s Sport in South Africa

Beyond the football pitch, Banyana Banyana’s journey continues to inspire women and girls across South Africa. Their performance has reaffirmed the importance of investing in women's sport, improving grassroots development, and elevating the visibility of female athletes in national and international forums.

As WAFCON 2025 draws to a close, one thing remains certain—Banyana Banyana have once again proven that they are not just champions of the past, but fierce competitors and role models for the future.

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