The reigning Champions of Africa, Banyana Banyana, have received a favourable draw for the CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON). The draw was conducted on Friday night in Morocco, where the 2025 edition of the continental showpiece will take place from 5 to 26 July.

South Africa’s women’s national team, affectionately known as Banyana Banyana, have been drawn into Group C, alongside Ghana, Mali, and Tanzania. While the group may not feature heavyweights like Nigeria or the previous runners-up and hosts, Morocco, it still presents challenges that require careful preparation.

This draw is seen as advantageous for South Africa, as they’ve avoided some of the more formidable sides in the tournament. However, the inclusion of Ghana – a team with a strong footballing tradition – and Mali, known for their physicality, means the group is far from straightforward. Tanzania, though less experienced, has shown improvement in recent years and should not be underestimated.

Listen to Coach Dr @descaptain reactions to the #TotalEnergiesWAFCON2024 draw

The tournament takes place bet 5-26 July 2025 in Morocco
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— Banyana_Banyana (@Banyana_Banyana) November 22, 2024

Proper preparation will be critical for Banyana Banyana if they are to navigate the group successfully. Coach Desiree Ellis, who guided the team to their maiden WAFCON title in 2022, is optimistic about the draw but remains cautious.

“It is not going to be easy - past results mean nothing. Now that we know who our opponents are, we can start preparing and getting ready for the WAFCON as African champions,” Ellis said after the draw.

With their title defence on the horizon, Banyana will need to channel all their energy and resources into maintaining their top status on the continent. The team’s success in 2022 elevated their status in African football, and expectations are high for a repeat performance in Morocco.

The squad has been actively building up to the tournament with international fixtures aimed at honing their skills. Recently, they embarked on a European tour, where they faced tough opponents such as Denmark and England, suffering losses of 5-0 and 2-1, respectively. Despite the results, these matches offered valuable lessons for the team.

Banyana Banyana are set to travel to the Caribbean, where they will face the Reggae Queens of Jamaica in a double-header on 29 November and 2 December in Montego Bay. These matches will serve as a continuation of their preparation and an opportunity to fine-tune their strategies.

Ellis stressed the importance of international exposure in building the team’s confidence and cohesion. “Every game, regardless of the result, is a chance to grow and improve. These friendlies are essential in helping us identify areas to sharpen ahead of the WAFCON,” she added.

Banyana will assemble in Johannesburg on Monday before jetting off to the Caribbean.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek cg