Banyana Banyana midfielder Kholosa Biyana has firmly established that defending their Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title is the primary mission for the team as they approach the highly anticipated tournament next year.
The African champions are gearing up for crucial friendly matches against Jamaica’s Reggae Girlz in Montego Bay on Friday and Monday, leading up to the tournament. The draw for the 2024 CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, held in Sale, Morocco, has placed South Africa in Group C, where they will compete against Ghana, Mali, and Tanzania.
Jamaica here we come 📰⤵️https://t.co/sMDZ1i76sP pic.twitter.com/kTWVzEujOv
— Banyana_Banyana (@Banyana_Banyana) November 21, 2024
The tournament is scheduled to take place from July 5 next year, making these upcoming friendlies vital for the squad’s preparations. In a recent interview at the Visa Fifa World Cup trophy tour, Biyana expressed mixed feelings about the tournament's postponement from its initial schedule to next year.
While she acknowledged the disappointment in waiting longer to defend their title, she also recognized that the delay might be a blessing in disguise, allowing the team ample time to hone their skills and ensure peak performance when the tournament begins.
“It’s been great to be defending but that’s gone now and we have to defend the next cup, but it’s disappointing that we had to wait that long,” Biyana stated.
“But at the same time, maybe it’s a blessing in disguise because who knows if we were ready to defend it that early. I think now we’ve had more opportunity to prepare ourselves, and by the time it comes, we’ll be ready.”
Head coach Desiree Ellis has had to make some last-minute changes, as players Hilda Magaia and Karabo Dhlamini have been ruled out due to injuries, making way for Thubelihle Shamase and Antonia Maponya. Additionally, Lonathemba Mhlongo has been called up in place of Sibulele Holweni, who is unavailable due to illness.
Biyana, who has been an integral part of the Banyana setup for several years, recently celebrated her 50th cap against England and is acutely aware of the challenges ahead.
Reflecting on her career, she notes, “If I look back, I think I’ve done well so far. I got the opportunity to play in Spain, play in a second World Cup, and win the WAFCON. I think it’s been a great journey, and it’s all been about consistency, and that’s the hardest part of the game.”
With their sights firmly set on defending their title, Banyana Banyana aims to build on their past successes and enter the tournament with both confidence and preparedness.
The upcoming friendlies against Jamaica will serve as a critical test for the squad, as they look to fine-tune their performance before facing other top contenders in Africa next July.