25 July 2026 – Sasol Banyana Banyana will be among 16 nations vying for the title of continental championship in the upcoming CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON 2026) kicking off on Sunday in Morocco.
Not only is the gold medal on the line for all the countries, but there is also a brewing battle for the top four spots which will guarantee passage to the even more prestigious FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil next year. For South Africa, there will be an added sense of pride and achievement for four players who are likely to reach huge milestones during the tournament.
Midfield sensation Linda Motlhalo is sitting on 99 appearances for South Africa, and just one cap away from joining an elite group of 12 Banyana Banyana players who have already clocked a century of caps and more in national team colours. “It’s such an honour that I know I’m going to be on 100 caps soon, an improbable feeling and it’s that thing of me remembering my first cap when coach Vera (Pauw) gave me the opportunity at the age of 17. Now you’re on number 100, it’s such an honour. It’s been a long journey, a lot of ups and downs, but it has been a beautiful one,” said a beaming Motlhalo.
The Scotland-based penalty specialist scored on debut against Cameroon in March 2016. “But let me take it back to 2015, before 2016. I was with Banyana Banyana at the age of 16 actually and training with the likes of many of the players that I looked up to. I was very patient and I think also coach Vera was very patient with me, and she made me understand that now it’s not the time for me to be able to play with the senior players, I was a training player,” added Motlhalo.
“So, when 2016 happened, when I got my first cap against Cameroon, I didn’t even struggle because I remembered all the training sessions that I did back in 2015. That’s when I understood that coach Vera knew when I was ready.”
The Rietvlei, Randfontein-born player spent her early development years at the High-Performance Centre (HPC) in Pretoria. She was part of the South African U17 Women’s National squad that went to the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in Trinidad and Tobago alongside the likes of Jermaine Seoposenwe, Kaylin Swart and Robyn Moodaly-Salgado.
Motlhalo graduated from the U17 team and went on to captain the U20 squad. She has since moved to the senior team and made appearances in the 2016 Rio Olympic Games as well as two senior FIFA World Cup tournaments, 2019 in France and 2023 in Australia and New Zealand.
She also won the WAFCON in 2022 and is targeting another gold in 2026. But first she must first navigate past Tanzania, Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso in Group B.
“Every team that plays against us they go for 120%, but I think we are ready for any team that we’re going to face. The first game is the most important one because it sets the tone to the tournament. The energy in camp is really good and obviously the main focus is the World Cup, but the biggest thing is we’re going for gold regardless of what happens,” said Motlhalo.
BANYANA BANYANA 100+ CAPS:
- Janine van Wyk (retired) 185 caps 12 goals
- Noko Matlou (retired) 174 66
- Nompumelelo Nyandeni (retired) 150 39
- Refiloe Jane 150 17
- Nothando Vilakazi 137 7
- Portia Modise (retired) 124 101
- Mamello Makhabane 121 22
- Lebohang Ramalepe 120 5
- Jermaine Seoposenwe (retired) 112 25
- Amanda Dlamini (retired) 105 24
- Bambanani Mbane 103 5
- Leandra Smeda 100 22
Likely to join Motlhalo in reaching these momentous milestones are Gabriela Salgado-Moodaly, who has played 48 games and just two away from the magical 50. The winger made headlines last year when she got injured in this tournament in the semi-final clash against Nigeria and was out of the game for a long period.
Also on the verge of glory is goal poacher Hildah Magaia, who was instrumental in Banyana Banyana’s success in the 2022 WAFCON-winning squad where she scored two goals in the final against Morocco to help her team lift their maiden continental trophy.
Known as the Breadwinner, Magaia is sitting on 47 caps.
Defender-cum-midfielder Bongeka Gamede has made 44 appearances and is just six shy of half a century.
BANYANA BANYANA 50+ CAPS:
- Linda Motlhalo 99 caps 25 goals
- Thembi Kgatlana 88 33
- Andile Dlamini (GK) 86 0
- Sanah Mollo 73 21
- Noxolo Cesane 60 6
- Kaylin Swart (GK) 54 0
- Kholosa Biyana 53 2
- Karabo Dhlamini 52 1
POSSIBLE MILESTONES:
- Gabriela Moodaly-Salgado 48 8
- Hildah Magaia 47 23
- Bongeka Gamede 44 1
South African Football: The team has undergone several rebranding efforts to enhance its image and connection with fans.
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