Banyana Banyana prepare to defend title in Wafcon battle

Desiree Ellis' team is targeting a historic Women's Africa Cup of Nations title defence on Moroccan soil after lifting the trophy in 2022. By Yanga Sibembe

- By Yanga Sibembe

Banyana Banyana are in uncharted territory. For the first time in their history, they are heading to a major tournament as defending champions. It is pressure with which the South Africans are not acquainted, but they are embracing it as they continue to carve out a path for future generations.

Banyana Banyana won the 2022 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon), marking the first time that they had been crowned champions of Africa - despite being one of the best teams on the continent for an extended period. Now that this particular hurdle has been leapt over, the team is aiming to create more history.

In the more than three-decade history of the Wafcon, Banyana became just the third team to win the tournament three years ago, following in the footsteps of Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea.

The Nigerians won the first seven editions of the continental showpiece before Equatorial Guinea snapped this dominance in 2008. But Nigeria won it again two years later, before Equatorial Guinea triumphed for a second time in 2012.

After that, it was Nigerian dominance once more until South Africa snapped the monotony. If Banyana Banyana manage to win this year's Morocco-hosted spectacle, they will join the two nations as multi-African champions.

Flying start

This all starts on Monday, 7 July, when the defending champions take on Ghana in their opening group C game. They will then tussle with Tanzania four days later, before closing off the group campaign with a battle against Mali on 14 July.