23 July 2025 – Banyana Banyana coach Dr Desiree Ellis was full of praise for her team despite missing out on a spot in the final of the CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) 2024 and relinquishing their title as the continental defending champions.
After an energy-sapping and nerve-wrecking 120 minutes of extra-time plus penalties against Senegal in the quarterfinals, the South Africans went toe-to-toe with the Super Falcons in the last four on Tuesday (22 July 2025) at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca, Morocco.
Banyana Banyana lost 2-1 to the Nigerians thanks to goals from captain Rasheedat Ajibade and Michelle Alozie, while South Africa pulled one back through Linda Motlhalo from the penalty spot. The defeat ended their 15-match unbeaten streak in open play in the WAFCON – all the matches were under Dr Ellis.
The West Africans found their winner after a long stoppage following the medical attention given to Gabby Salgado, who was eventually stretchered off and her place taken by Sibulele Holweni. But Dr Ellis sang the praises of her team despite the disappointing loss in a match where they enjoyed a 54,5 percentage of ball possession and completed more passes than Nigeria – 266 to 166.
“I think we didn’t take our chances – we had a quite a few as well. Jermaine (Seoposenwe) was in on goal, Hilda (Magaia) was in on goal, Nox (Noxolo Cesane) was also in on goal before they even scored their second goal. I thought we didn’t look like a team that went 120 minutes (against Senegal). We went toe-to-toe (with Nigeria), we gave as good as they gave but unfortunately, they got the two goals and that’s what it’s about,” said Dr Ellis.
“But I’m really proud of this team. I think after that injury, I don’t know what it is yet but after that injury I think it took us a while to get going again and I think maybe that’s the reason why we conceded at the time we conceded. But big ups to Nigeria, they also kept going and good luck to them.”
While Nigeria travel to Rabat to face Morocco in the final on Saturday (26 July), South Africa will remain in Casablanca to conclude the tournament with a third-place play-off against Ghana, who lost to the hosts on penalties in the other semi-final.
Dr Ellis said while the mission was to defend the title and make history, there is still something to play for and they will fight with everything left in them to return home with a medal.
“Most definitely, there’s disappointment with not getting to the final of course but there’s still something to play for and that is important. It’s not just the medal but like I said we’re going to try and do this for Gabriela. She is going home with an injury, we will make sure that she gets a medal because it’s important that we still fight for the third place, so there’s still something to play for, it’s not just a playoff match that doesn’t mean anything. It’s a playoff match that gets you a medal and I think it’s going to be important how we lift ourselves up after this and then get ready for that match.”
Meanwhile, midfielder Amogelang Motau has been ruled out of the tournament following an injury she sustained against Senegal where she came on as a second half substitute but was then withdrawn at the start of extra-time.
She missed the semi-final clash against Nigeria and will take no part against Ghana in the bronze medal match on Friday. Motau will however stay with the team until the end of the competition.
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