Formed: 1993
Purpose: To develop and represent South Africa’s women’s football at international level, promote gender equality in sports, and offer opportunities for women in professional football.
Banyana Banyana was created to align with global efforts to grow women’s football and to give South African women athletes a structured pathway to compete internationally after years of exclusion under apartheid.
Desiree Ellis (Appointed 2016 – Present)
Former Banyana Banyana player
Led the team to their first Women’s African Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title in 2022
Fran Hilton-Smith (1994–1997)
Augusto Palacios (interim, 1997)
Sheryl Botes (1997–2001)
Vera Pauw (2014–2016)
Various interim and official coaches in between
Refiloe Jane
Sasol (Title Sponsor – since 2009)
Nike (Official Kit Sponsor)
Le Coq Sportif (early 2000s kit sponsor)
Additional early-stage local support from regional sponsors and SAFA initiatives before major brand partnerships materialized.
FIFA Women’s World Cup:
2019 (France) – Group Stage
2023 (Australia/New Zealand) – Round of 16 (Historic first knockout stage appearance)
Olympic Games:
2012 (London)
2016 (Rio de Janeiro)
Women’s African Cup of Nations (WAFCON):
5 × Runners-up (1995, 2000, 2008, 2012, 2018)
Champions: 🏆 2022 (Morocco)
COSAFA Women’s Championship:
Participated in all 10 editions
7 × Champions
2 × Runners-up
1 × Fourth place finish
30 May 1993: First official match — Defeated Eswatini 14–0.
Desiree Ellis scored a hat-trick.
1993: First matches outside Africa — faced China; suffered heavy defeats (8–0 and 13–0).
2000: First international win outside Africa — defeated Scotland 2–0 at the Cyprus Women’s Cup.
31 July 2019: Biggest win — defeated Comoros 17–0 during the COSAFA Women’s Championship in Gqeberha.
Captain Refiloe Jane scored four goals.
2022: Historic WAFCON title — Defeated Morocco 2–1 in the final.
2023: Reached the Round of 16 at the FIFA Women’s World Cup for the first time.
Desiree Ellis – Former captain and current coach; FIFA Coach of the Year nominee
Refiloe Jane – Current captain; plays for Sassuolo (Italy)
Thembi Kgatlana – Star striker; scored South Africa’s first-ever FIFA Women’s World Cup goal (2019)
Janine van Wyk – Former captain; South Africa’s most capped footballer (men or women)
Jermaine Seoposenwe – Versatile forward and consistent performer
Linda Motlhalo – Midfield maestro known for technical ability
Noko Matlou – Veteran defender; also an African Women’s Footballer of the Year (2008)
We are dedicated to curating and preserving the rich legacy of the beautiful game in Mzansi. From legendary players to iconic matches, we celebrate the moments that shaped South African football.
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