Banyana Banyana’s WAFCON Preparations Off to a Positive Start
Banyana Banyana’s preparations for the 2025 Women’s African Cup of Nations got off to a positive start, after Desiree Ellis’ charges won their second friendly against Lesotho 2-nil at the University of Johannesburg’s Soweto Campus on Tuesday, February 25, 2025.
Sibongile Ntoane got her team on the scoresheet a few minutes after kickoff as Unathi Simayile scored the second goal of the match to seal the win. Both goals came in the first half, and the victory followed their 1-0 triumph on Saturday.
Ellis opted for a younger squad for these friendlies in a bid to improve the depth of the team, as they look to bolster the squad in preparation for WAFCON. The South Africans will be looking to successfully defend the title that they won in 2022.
The coach shared her thoughts on the Tuesday’s match and said the team felt the intensity of playing two matches in a short space of time.
“I think we started well, and then of course we stopped playing, so it’s easy to show that now, and then whatever we did in leading up to that goal, we didn’t do.”
“We started running with the ball, getting caught in possession, everyone, and we tried to tell them just to, because for many of these players, two games in quick succession like this, they’re not used to that.
“With this being pre-season, we’ve also tried to assist where we can, and that’s the reason also why we made so many changes because we needed to look at other players.
“We tried to refresh the squad, started playing better again, and then obviously towards the end, the last 20 minutes, it was just tired legs because many of them are not used to playing at this level.”
A goalkeeper training camp was also held which brought together a group of shot-stoppers from various national team levels. This camp offered invaluable exposure for youth keepers, allowing them to train alongside some of the country’s top players under the guidance of goalkeeper coach Cameron Cox.
Banyana is set to meet in March for another camp as they ramp up preparations for the WAFCON, which gets underway on 5 July, 2025.
Results of the Banyana Banyana vs Lesotho International Friendlies
22 February 2025: Banyana Banyana 1-0 Lesotho
25 February 2025: Banyana Banyana 2-0 Lesotho
Banyana Banyana Squad for Lesotho International Friendlies
Jessica Williams
Casey Gordon
Asa Rabalao
Mbali Ntimeni
Matshidiso Masebe
Katlego Moletsane
Siphesihle Dlamini
Dineo Magagula
Nthando Phahla
Portia Masilela
Bonolo Mokoma
Yomelelo Jacobs
Sikelelwa Mhlanga
Unathi Simayile
Yolanda Nduli
Okuhle Sithole
Mmabatho Mogale
Nondumiso Manengela
Isabella Ludwig
Katleho Malebana
Sibongile Ntoane
Thatho Mafolo
Kesha Hendricks
Adrielle Mibe
Katlego Mohale
Khewzi Khoza
Tshegofatso Motlogelwa
Mavis Maiacane
Nobhale Ndelwa
Tanna Hollis
Main Photo Caption: Nobhale Ndelwa celebrates her goal in the opening enBanyana Banyana’s preparations for the 2025 Women’s African Cup of Nations got off to a positive start, after Desiree Ellis’ charges won their second friendly against Lesotho 2-nil at the University of Johannesburg’s Soweto Campus on Tuesday, February 25, 2025. All Photos: Banyana Banyana
Photo 2 Caption: Centre forward Mavis Maiacane controls the ball during Banyana Banyana’s twin international friendlies series against Lesotho.
Photo 3 Caption: Kesha Hendricks (left) and Isabella Ludwig celebrate Sibongile Ntoane’s (right) opening goal against Lesotho on Tuesday.
Crédito: Link de origem