14 July 2025 – Banyana Banyana cruised past Mali in their final Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) group match as the African champions stepped up a gear at the Honneur Stadium in Oujda, Morocco, on Monday night.
Coach Dr Desiree Ellis’ charges beat the West Africans 4-0 in a comfortable display that will have pleased the South African senior women’s national team coach. The South Africans were always in control and never looked back after Lebohang Ramalepe opened the scoring in the fourth minute. Captain Refiloe Jane increased the lead when she scored a curling free kick in the 31st minute. The South Africans continued where they left off in the second half and it came as no surprise when Hildah Magaia scored the third goal in the 60th minute.
Second half substitute Ronnel Donnelly completed the rout when she scored the fourth and final goal of the match in the 78th minute to complete a memorable night for the South Africans.
Dr Ellis and her charges now march on to the quarterfinals as they continue the defense of the title they won in Morocco in 2022.
South African Football: They made their first appearance in the FIFA World Cup in 1998.
Papa Smurf
Fun South African Fact: Some of the earliest evidence of human evolution has been unearthed at fossil sites northwest of Johannesburg in the Sterkfontein Caves! Archaeologists have discovered human remains here, some of which are more than 2 million years old! These discoveries have earned the area the title of “the Cradle of Humankind” which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Slint Fubar
These days, the pizza arrives before the police.