How the Team Qualified
As defending champions, South Africa qualified for the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations with poise and control. Exempt from the first round due to their champion status, Banyana Banyana faced Burkina Faso in the second round.
In the first leg, played in Ouagadougou on 30 November 2023, they were held to a 1-1 draw despite scoring early, conceding the equalizer late in the match. This result served as a wake-up call for Desiree Ellis’ squad, who approached the return leg with greater intensity and tactical discipline.
In the return leg, South Africa dictated the pace and claimed a deserved 2-0 win, thanks to a solid team performance and the rediscovered efficiency of their attack. This victory secured their spot in the final tournament in Morocco, where they will defend their continental crown.
TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON History
South Africa is one of the giants of African women’s football, consistently performing at the highest continental level. Since their 1995 debut, Banyana Banyana have never missed an edition of the TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON.
From the outset, they made a strong impression by reaching the final in their first appearance. This sparked a series of campaigns marked by consistency and heartbreak: between 1995 and 2018, South Africa reached five finals (1995, 2000, 2008, 2012, and 2018), losing all of them, including two against fierce rivals Nigeria.
That streak was finally broken in 2022 in Morocco—a historic turning point for the team.
Led by a talented and experienced generation hardened by previous setbacks, South Africa produced a dominant tournament run: defeating Nigeria in the group stage, Tunisia in the quarterfinals, and Zambia in the semifinals. In the final, against a host crowd backing Morocco, Banyana Banyana showed composure and efficiency to win 2-1. Hildah Magaia scored twice to deliver South Africa’s long-awaited first continental title. That victory signalled a new era—South Africa now competes not just to participate, but to win.
Players to Watch
Jermaine Seoposenwe
She embodies a modern forward with a complete and mobile style, perfectly suited for major competitions like the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. Her game stands out thanks to a rare ability to alternate between direct runs, hold-up play, and intelligent movement in the half-spaces. Gifted with excellent timing and real game awareness, she excels at making runs in behind the defense and knows how to use her strength in one-on-one situations. But she’s also a selfless player, capable of dropping deeper to create space and set up her teammates in ideal positions. Her constant activity on the attacking front and her ability to adapt to different systems make her a key asset for South Africa, who will rely on her experience and instinct to progress through the stages of this Women’s AFCON.
Hildah Magaia: Since the last TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON, she has emerged as Banyana Banyana’s lethal weapon. The breakout star of the 2022 edition, she dazzled in the final with two goals against Morocco, securing South Africa’s first continental crown. Since then, Magaia has become an attacking benchmark in African football. She plays for Mazatlán FC in Mexico’s Liga MX Femenil, where her finishing and composure continue to shine.
Beyond her goal-scoring prowess, she brings calm and maturity in key moments. She will be a major threat to South Africa’s Group C opponents.
The Coach
Desiree Ellis is more than just a coach—she is a continental icon. In charge since 2016 (initially as interim, then officially appointed in 2018), she has overseen the transformation of Banyana Banyana to continental powerhouses.
After losing the 2018 final to Nigeria on penalties, Ellis learned from the setback and returned stronger in 2022, guiding South Africa to their first-ever continental title by defeating Morocco in the final. That historic triumph reflected her clear vision: tactical discipline, intelligent pressing, and technical expression from her players.
Her impact goes beyond Africa. Ellis led South Africa to two FIFA Women’s World Cups—2019 in France and 2023 in Australia/New Zealand. In the latter, South Africa made history by reaching the Round of 16 for the first time.
A four-time winner of the CAF Women’s Coach of the Year award (2018, 2019, 2022, 2023), Ellis is a natural leader—respected, inspiring, and demanding. She is close to her players but holds high standards for performance.
Ambitions and Group Analysis
South Africa will compete in Group C, alongside Ghana, Mali, and Tanzania. It’s a competitive group, featuring teams with diverse profiles, all capable of causing problems.
Ghana brings experience and a seasoned performances. Mali is a team on the rise, with a young, ambitious squad capable of springing a surprise. Tanzania, often viewed as underdogs, have shown steady progress through CECAFA regional tournaments and youth development.
With an experienced squad and a seasoned technical staff led by Ellis, the team aims to defend their title with authority.