MOROCCO MISSION

BANYANA BANYANA RETURN TO THE SCENE OF THEIR GREATEST TRIUMPH AND LOOK TO RETAIN THE CONTINENTAL CROWN

- By Mark Gleeson

It took years of struggle, scrapes and heartache, and a few bruises along the way, before Banyana Banyana finally got to stand on top of the Women's Africa Cup of Nations podium.

But three years ago, at Rabat's Moulay Abdellah Stadium, South Africa were finally crowned continental champions, winning the greatest prize in continental women's football for the first time.

They had been competing in the tournament, originally the Africa Women's Championship, from 1995 but never got to lift the trophy, despite being oh-so close. They were runners-up four times, bronze medal winners twice and finished fourth on three separate occasions.

But in Morocco it all finally fell into place and a 2-1 win over the hosts in the final in front of a packed house ensured a long awaited consecration for South African women's football.

Now Banyana Banyana head back to the north African country to defend their title, hoping to retain the trophy and begin a new cycle ahead of next Women's World Cup in Brazil in two years' time.

South Africa have Ghana, Mali and Tanzania as opponents in their opening round group having qualified after just a single two-legged tie in the preliminaries when they got the better of Burkina Faso 3-1 on aggregate.