South Africa women's national soccer team

This article is about the women's football team. For the men's team, see South Africa national soccer team.
South Africa
Nickname(s)Banyana Banyana
AssociationSouth African Football Association
ConfederationCAF (Africa)
Sub-confederationCOSAFA (Southern Africa)
Head coachDesiree Ellis
CaptainRefiloe Jane
Most capsJanine Van Wyk (185)
Top scorerPortia Modise (101)
FIFA codeRSA
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 54 (12 June 2025)[1]
Highest45 (August 2023)
Lowest74 (June – September 2005; December 2007)
First international
  9–0 Swaziland 
(Johannesburg, South Africa; 30 May 1993)
Biggest win
  17–0 Comoros 
(Port Elizabeth, South Africa; 31 July 2019)
Biggest defeat
 China 13–0  
(Dalian, China; 7 September 2003)
World Cup
Appearances2 (first in 2019)
Best resultRound of 16 (2023)
Africa Women Cup of Nations
Appearances13 (first in 1995)
Best result Champions (2022)
Summer Olympics
Appearances2 (first in 2012)
Best result10th (2012)
COSAFA Women's Championship
Appearances10 (first in 2002)
Best result Champions (2002, 2006, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022)
Medal record
Women's Africa Cup of Nations
2022 Morocco
2018 Ghana
2012 Equatorial Guinea
2008 Equatorial Guinea
2000 South Africa
2006 Nigeria
2010 South Africa


COSAFA Women's Championship
2002 Zimbabwe
2006 Zambia
2017 Zimbabwe
2018 South Africa
2019 South Africa
2020 South Africa
2022 South Africa
2011 Zimbabwe
2022 South Africa
Websitehttps://www.safa.net/

The South Africa women's national football team represents South Africa in women's international soccer and is run by the South African Football Association, the governing body for Soccer in South Africa. Nicknamed Banyana Banyana (The Girls in Sesotho).

South Africa competed in two Olympic Games, two FIFA Women's World Cups, and 14 Women's African Cup of Nations, where they were runners up five times before winning once. They also competed at all 10 COSAFA Women's Championships, where they won seven times, came second thrice and finished in fourth place once.

History

Banyana Banyana's first official match was held on 30 May 1993 against Eswatini, which they won 14–0. Future Women's AFCON winning coach Desiree Ellis played in that game and scored three of the goals[2]

Their first international match outside of Africa was against China. They played two matches which they lost 8–0 and 13–0 with the latter being the heaviest defeat in their history. The team's first victory over a nation outside of Africa was in 2000, where they beat Scotland by 2–0. This was at the Cyrus Women's Cup.[3]

South Africa's biggest win came in a COSAFA Women's Championship match in Gqeberha on 31 July 2019, when they beat the Comoros 17–0. Captain Refiloe Jane scored 4 of the goals.[4][5]

Olympic Games

They qualified for Olympic football for the first time in 2012, with coach Joseph Mkhonza.[6] Their second Olympic participation was at 2016's Rio Olympics, under coach Vera Pauw.

Women's Africa Cup of Nations

Banyana appeared in 14 CAF Women's Championships (Now known as Women's AFCON) and were runners up on five occasions (1995, 2000, 2008, 2012 and 2018) and third at two events (2006 and 2010), before eventually winning their first Women's Africa Cup of Nations in 2022, beating Morocco 2–1 in the final.[7]

FIFA Women's World Cup

Coached by Desiree Ellis, they qualified for their first FIFA Women's World Cup in 2019, in Group B with Germany, Spain and China. However, they lost all matches, and their only goal was against Spain when they went to a 1–0 lead only to lose 3–1.

South Africa qualified for the FIFA Women's World Cup again in 2023, also coached by Desiree Ellis. During the group stages they lost 2–1 to Sweden after leading 1–0, drew 2–2 against Argentina after leading 2–0, but finally defeated Italy 3–2 and advanced to the Round of 16 for the very first time. They eventually lost 2–0 to the Netherlands.[8] Following the team's performance, Desiree Ellis would win the 2023 award for CAF Women's Coach of the Year.[9]

The top goal scorers at world cups are Thembi Kgatlana with 3, Hildah Magaia with 2, while Linda Motlhalo also scored one. South Africa's other goal was an own goal by Italy in 2023.

COSAFA Women's Championship

South Africa competed in all eleven COSAFA Women's Championships – a tournament featuring nations from the Southern African region – since its inception in 2002. They have won seven titles (in 2002, 2006, 2008, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020), finished second twice (in 2011 and 2022) and only failed to win a medal twice, when they finished fourth in 2021 and exited in the group stages 2023.[10]

In later years, because of South Africa's success and increased participation in bigger world events, management started sending newcomers to COSAFA tournaments, to broaden their talent pool. This contributed to a decline in Banyana Banyana's dominance at this event.[11]

Team image

Nicknames

The South Africa women's national football team has been known or nicknamed as the "Banyana Banyana", which literally translates to "Girls Girls", but such double use is often interpreted to mean "all the girls". In the context of sport, it is also understood to mean "go girls, go girls".

This name is derived from the Senior Men's National team being "Bafana Bafana" which also literally means "the boys the boys". The nickname came into existence from fans shouting "bafana bafana" to mean "go boys, go boys" as encouragement during the South Africa men's team's first international game after many years of sporting isolation due to Apartheid policies in 1992, when they beat Cameroon 1–0 in Durban. The name stuck, and the female form was later applied to the women's team as well.

Results and fixtures

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

Legend

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixture

2024

22 October 2024 COSAFA WC GS   1–0  Namibia Gqeberha, South Africa
17:00 UTC+2 Motlogelwa 84' Report Stadium: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium
Referee: Thanks Nyahuye (Zimbabwe)
25 October 2024 COSAFA WC GS   3–0  Eswatini Ibhayi, South Africa
15:00 UTC+2
Report Stadium: Isaac Wolfson Stadium
Referee: Antsino Twanyanyukwa (Namibia)
25 October Friendly Denmark  5–0   Aalborg, Denmark
18:00 UTC+1
Stadium: Aalborg Stadium
28 October 2024 COSAFA WC GS   8–1  Seychelles Gqeberha, South Africa
15:00 UTC+2
Report
  • Pas. Moustache 74' (pen.)
 Stadium: Madibaz Stadium
Referee: Grace Gimo (Zimbabwe)
29 October Friendly England  2–1   Coventry, England
Stadium: Coventry Arena
31 October 2024 COSAFA WC SF   1–1
(4–1 p)		  Mozambique Ibhayi, South Africa
15:00 UTC+2 Motlogelwa 45+4' (pen.) Report Célia 34' Stadium: Isaac Wolfson Stadium
Referee: Mercy Mayimbo (Zimbabwe)
Penalties
  • Chingueleze
  • Joana
  • Aurora
2 November 2024 COSAFA WC F Zambia  0–0 (a.e.t.)
(4–3 p)		   Ibhayi, South Africa
15:00 UTC+2 Report Stadium: Isaac Wolfson Stadium
Referee: Antsino Twanyanyukwa (Namibia)
Penalties
  • Namasiku
  • Chomba
  • Musole
  • Mulenga
29 November Friendly Jamaica  3–0   Montego Bay, Jamaica
2 December Friendly Jamaica  3–2   Montego Bay, Jamaica

2025

22 February Friendly   1–0  Lesotho Johannesburg, South Africa
13:00 UTC+2 Mdelwa 50' Report Stadium: UJ Soweto Campus
25 February Friendly   2–0  Lesotho Johannesburg, South Africa
15:00 UTC+2
Report Stadium: UJ Soweto Campus
5 April Friendly   3–0  Malawi Johannesburg, South Africa
15:00 UTC+2
Report Stadium: UJ Soweto Campus
8 April Friendly   2–1  Malawi Pretoria, South Africa
15:00 UTC+2
Report
Stadium: Lucas Moripe Stadium
28 May Nations Challenge   3–2  Botswana Pretoria, South Africa
15:00 UTC+2
Report
Stadium: Lucas Moripe Stadium
Player of the Match: Karabo Dhlamini (South Africa)
3 June Nations Challenge   2–0  Zambia Pretoria, South Africa
15:00 UTC+2
Report Stadium: Lucas Moripe Stadium
Referee: Vistoria Shangula (Namibia)
28 June Friendly   2–0  Benin Mohammédia, Morocco
15:30 UTC+1 Stadium: Lanoria Club

Coaching staff

Current coaching staff

Position Name Ref.
Head coach Desiree Ellis
Assistant coach Thinasonke Mbuli
Goalkeeper Coach Cameron Cox
Performance Analyst Shilene Booysen
Physical Trainer Ridhaa Allie
Kit Manager Evah Mokwape

Technical staff

Role Name Start date
General Manager Lauren Duncan January 2016

Manager history

All-time Banyana Banyana coaching records
Coach Nat. Tenure Reference
Sandile Bali  South Africa 1995 [12]
Nomalungelo Mooi  South Africa 1998 [12]
Fran Hilton-Smith  South Africa 2000 [12]
Greg Mashilo  South Africa 2002 – 2004 [13]
August Makalakalane  South Africa 2006 – 2011 [14][15]
Joseph Mkhonza  South Africa 2011 – 2014 [16][17]
Vera Pauw  Netherlands 2014 – 2016 [18]
Desiree Ellis  South Africa 2016 – present [19]

Players

Main article: List of South Africa women's international soccer players

Current Squad

The following players were called up for the two friendlies against Botswana and Zambia on 28 May and 3 June 2025. [20]

Caps and goals are correct as of 8 April 2025, after the match against Malawi.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK Kaylin Swart (1994-09-30) 30 September 1994 50 0 JVW
16 1GK Andile Dlamini (1992-09-02) 2 September 1992 75 0 Mamelodi Sundowns
21 1GK Jessica Williams (1999-12-02) 2 December 1999 5 1 Bagers FC
23 1GK Casey Gordon (2007-12-03) 3 December 2007 0 0 JVW
2 2DF Lebohang Ramalepe (1991-12-03) 3 December 1991 108 4 Mamelodi Sundowns
5 2DF Fikile Magama (2002-01-19) 19 January 2002 18 0 UWC
7 2DF Karabo Dhlamini (2001-09-18) 18 September 2001 39 1 Mamelodi Sundowns
13 2DF Bambanani Mbane (1990-03-12) 12 March 1990 87 4 Mamelodi Sundowns
16 2DF Shakira O'Malley (2003-01-03) 3 January 2003 3 0 Western Michigan University
17 2DF Tiisetso Makhubela (1997-04-24) 24 April 1997 24 2 Mamelodi Sundowns
18 2DF Bongeka Gamede (1999-05-22) 22 May 1999 34 0 Nordsjaelland
4 3MF Regina Mogolola (1993-04-17) 17 April 1993 6 0 JVW
10 3MF Linda Motlhalo (1998-07-01) 1 July 1998 85 22 Glasgow City
15 3MF Refiloe Jane (1992-08-04) 4 August 1992 136 16 TS Galaxy Queens
20 3MF Adrielle Mibe (2007-01-26) 26 January 2007 2 0 UJ FC
21 3MF Nonhlanhla Mthandi (1995-08-19) 19 August 1995 11 2 Mamelodi Sundowns
22 3MF Amogelang Motau (1997-02-27) 27 February 1997 20 4 Tijuana
6 4FW Hildah Magaia (1994-12-16) 16 December 1994 40 22 Tijuana
7 4FW Kgaelebane Mohlakoana (1993-12-10) 10 December 1993 20 0 TP Mazambi
9 4FW Gabriela Salgado (1998-02-20) 20 February 1998 36 7 JVW
12 4FW Jermaine Seoposenwe (1993-10-12) 12 October 1993 104 21 Monterrey
4FW Michelle Sampson (2003-11-28) 28 November 2003 3 1 University of West Hare
4FW Bonolo Mokoma (2008-04-30) 30 April 2008 0 0 JVW
4FW Renniker Khoza (2000-04-03) 3 April 2000 0 0 University of West Hare

Recent call ups

The following players were called up to the squad within the past 12 months.

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Dineo Magagula (1994-10-14) 14 October 1994 TS Galaxy Queens v.  Lesotho, 25 February 2025
GK Katlego Moletsane (1995-03-03) 3 March 1995 Royal AM v.  Lesotho, 25 February 2025
DF Lonathemba Mhlongo (2002-08-23) 23 August 2002 UWC v.  Malawi, 8 April 2025
DF Noko Matlou RET (1985-09-30) 30 September 1985 174 66 Eibar v.  Malawi, 5 April 2025
DF Ntando Phahla (2006-03-12) 12 March 2006 University of Pretoria v.  Lesotho, 25 February 2025
DF Asanda Hadebe PRE (2003-10-13) 13 October 2003 Mamelodi Sundowns v.  Jamaica, 2 December 2024
DF Shannon Macomo (2004-04-28) 28 April 2004 UJ v.  England, 29 October 2024
MF Nompumelelo Nyandeni RET (1987-08-19) 19 August 1987 150 39 JVW FC v.  Malawi, 8 April 2025
MF Samkelisiwe Selana (2004-07-07) 7 July 2004 TS Galaxy Queens v.  Malawi, 8 April 2025
MF Mavis Maiacane ILL Super Striker FC v.  Malawi, 5 April 2025
MF Sibongile Ntoane (2003-07-02) 2 July 2003 TUT Matsatsantsa FC v.  Lesotho, 25 February 2025
MF Nondumiso Manengela (1998-11-05) 5 November 1998 UWC v.  Lesotho, 25 February 2025
MF Mmabatho Mogale (2001-11-13) 13 November 2001 JVW v.  Lesotho, 25 February 2025
MF Nomvula Kgoale (1995-11-20) 20 November 1995 21 5 TS Galaxy Queens v.  Jamaica, 2 December 2024
MF Kholosa Biyana (1994-09-06) 6 September 1994 38 2 Mamelodi Sundowns v.  Jamaica, 2 December 2024
MF Sibulele Holweni INJ (2001-04-28) 28 April 2001 University of Western Cape v.  England, 29 October 2024
FW Sinoxolo Cesane (2000-10-11) 11 October 2000 0 0 Mazatlán v.  Malawi, 8 April 2025
FW Thembi Kgatlana (1996-05-02) 2 May 1996 71 24 UANL v.  Malawi, 8 April 2025
FW Tanna Hollis (2005-11-27) 27 November 2005 JVW v.  Malawi, 8 April 2025
FW Noxolo Cesane (2000-10-11) 11 October 2000 31 4 UWC v.  Malawi, 5 April 2025
FW Nicole Lauren Michael (2001-01-17) 17 January 2001 1 1 TS Galaxy Queens v.  Jamaica, 2 December 2024
FW Thubelihle Shamase (2002-01-16) 16 January 2002 FC Gintra v.  Jamaica, 2 December 2024
FW Nthabiseng Majiya (2004-06-10) 10 June 2004 Mamelodi Sundowns v.  Jamaica, 2 December 2024
FW Gugu Dhlamini (1991-02-14) 14 February 1991 University of Johansburg v.  Jamaica, 2 December 2024
FW Antonia Maponya (1999-10-17) 17 October 1999 University of the Western Cape v.  Jamaica, 2 December 2024
Notes (Append to Name)
  • ILL = Withdrew due to illness
  • INJ = Withdrew due to injury
  • PRE = Preliminary squad / on stand-by
  • RET = Retired from National team

Previous squads

FIFA Women's World Cup
Summer Olympics
Africa Women Cup of Nations
COSAFA Women's Championship
Turkish Women's Cup

Records

  • Active players in bold, statistics correct as of 2025.

Honours

Major competitions

Continental

Regional


  1. Competition organized by the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa, officially not recognized by FIFA.


Competitive record

FIFA Women's World Cup

Main article: South Africa at the FIFA Women's World Cup
FIFA Women's World Cup record
Year Result Pld W D* L GF GA GD
1991 Did not enter
1995 Did not qualify
1999
2003
2007
2011
2015
2019 Group stage 3 0 0 3 1 8 −7

2023		 Round of 16 4 1 1 2 6 8 −2
2027 To be determined

2031 		To be determined
2035 To be determined
Total 2/9 7 1 1 5 7 16 −9
*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.
FIFA Women's World Cup history
Year Round Date Opponent Result Stadium
2019 Group stage 8 June  Spain L 1–3 Stade Océane, Le Havre
13 June  China L 0–1 Parc des Princes, Paris
17 June  Germany L 0–4 Stade de la Mosson, Montpellier
2023 Group Stage 23 July  Sweden L 1–2 Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington
28 July  Argentina D 2–2 Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
2 August  Italy W 3–2 Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington
Round of 16 6 August  Netherlands L 0–2 Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney

Olympic Games

Summer Olympics record
Year Result Pld W D* L GS GA GD
1996 Did not qualify
2000
2004
2008
2012 Group stage 3 0 1 2 1 7 −6
2016 Group stage 3 0 1 2 0 3 −3
2020 Did not qualify
2024
Total 2/7 6 0 2 4 1 10 −9
*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

Africa Women Cup of Nations

Africa Women Cup of Nations record
Year Round Pld W D* L GS GA GD
1991 Banned
1995 Runners-up 6 3 1 2 19 20 −1
1998 Group stage 2 0 0 2 2 7 −5
2000 Runners-up 5 4 0 1 9 3 +6
2002 Fourth place 5 2 1 2 6 11 −5
2004 Group stage 3 0 0 3 2 7 −5
2006 Third place 5 2 1 2 8 5 +3
2008 Runners-up 5 3 0 2 7 4 +3
2010 Third place 5 3 1 1 10 6 +4
2012 Runners-up 5 3 0 2 6 6 0
2014 Fourth place 5 1 1 3 7 6 +1
2016 Fourth place 5 1 1 3 5 3 +2
2018 Runners-up 5 3 2 0 11 2 +9
2020 Cancelled due to Covid
2022 Champions 6 6 0 0 10 3 +7
2024 Qualified
Total Champions: 1 time 62 31 8 23 102 83 +19
*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

African Games

African Games record
Year Result Matches Wins Draws Losses GF GA
2003 Runners- up 5 4 0 1 12 3
2007 Runners- up 4 2 1 1 7 7
2011 Fourth place 5 1 2 2 8 10
2015 5th 2 0 2 0 1 1
2019 7th 2 0 0 2 0 4
2023 Did not qualify
Total 5/6 18 7 5 6 28 25

COSAFA Women's Championship

COSAFA Women's Championship record
Year Round Pld W D* L GS GA GD
2002 Champions 5 5 0 0 36 2 +34
2006 Champions 4 4 0 0 19 2 +17
2008 Champions
2011 Runners-up 5 4 0 1 14 3 +11
2017 Champions 5 3 2 0 12 3 +9
2018 Champions 5 5 0 0 13 2 +11
2019 Champions 5 5 0 0 27 2 +25
2020 Champions 5 5 0 0 22 3 +19
2021 Fourth place 5 2 2 1 8 6 +2
2022 Runners-up 5 3 1 1 9 2 +7
2023 Group stage 3 2 0 1 9 5 +4
2024 Runners-up 5 3 2 0 13 2 +11
Total Winner 52 41 6 5 182 32 +150
*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

All−time record against FIFA recognized nations

The list shown below shows the women's South Africa national soccer team's all−time international record against opposing nations.
*As of xxxxxx after match against xxxx.

Key
  Positive balance (more wins than losses)
  Neutral balance (as many wins as losses)
  Negative balance (more losses than wins)
Against Pld W D L GF GA GD Confederation

Record per opponent

*As ofxxxxx after match against xxxxx.

Key
  Positive balance (more wins than losses)
  Neutral balance (as many wins as losses)
  Negative balance (more losses than wins)

The following table shows South Africa's all-time official international record per opponent:

Opponent Pld W D L GF GA GD W% Confederation
 Denmark 1 0 0 1 0 5 (5) 0 UEFA
 Jamaica 3 0 1 2 3 7 (4) 0 CONCACAF
Total —

See also

National teams

References

  1. ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Women's World Ranking". FIFA. 12 June 2025. Retrieved 12 June 2025.
  2. ^ "Desiree Ellis: How a trailblazing coach lifted S African football". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
  3. ^ "Reflecting on Banyana Banyana". SAFA Official Website. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
  4. ^ "Record breaking Banyana thrash Comoros 17–0 in opening COSAFA clash". News24. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
  5. ^ "Africa's World Cup women raise unfair pay and sexual abuse – DW – 07/18/2023". dw.com. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
  6. ^ "Banyana secure historic passage to London". FIFA. 12 September 2011. Archived from the original on 27 September 2011. Retrieved 13 September 2011.
  7. ^ "How South Africa finally won its first Africa Women Cup of Nations title". Equalizer Soccer. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
  8. ^ "Banyana Banyana Qualifies for the Knockouts". News24. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
  9. ^ Summerscales, Robert (11 December 2023). "Victor Osimhen And Asisat Oshoala Win African Footballer Of The Year Prizes On Big Night For Nigeria At 2023 CAF Awards Ceremony". FanNation Futbol. Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
  10. ^ Shozi, Asanda (11 October 2023). "Banyana beat Eswatini but Bow Out of COSAFA Women's Champs". gsport4girls. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
  11. ^ "Dludlu To Lead Banyana At COSAFA Cup, Calls Up New-Look Squad". iDiski Times. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
  12. ^ a b c "Amajita's success shows we are on the right track – SAFA President". South African Football Association. 13 February 2019.
  13. ^ "New look Banyana squad named". Sport24. 17 September 2002.
  14. ^ "Winds of change blow in Africa". FIFA. 31 March 2006. Archived from the original on 5 March 2017.
  15. ^ Mailwane, Tshepang (3 May 2015). "Soccer heroes of '96 now shout the odds from touchlines". Sunday Times. Augustine Makalakalane: Not a regular at Bafana, "Mthakathi" worked as Banyana Banyana coach from 2006 to 2011. He failed to qualify the team for the World Cup and was fired. The 49-year-old was suspended before his dismissal for allegedly sexually harassing his players.
  16. ^ Moholoa, Ramatsiyi (28 July 2011). "Safa signs up Mkhonza full-time". The Sowetan.
  17. ^ "Former Banyana Coach Ends SAFA Relationship". Soccer Laduma. 8 October 2014.
  18. ^ Roberts, Cheryl (20 September 2016). "Safa should go local with new Banyana coach". Independent Online.
  19. ^ "Desiree Ellis named new Banyana coach". Sport24. 22 February 2018.
  20. ^ "Dr Ellis announces Banyana squad for Friendlies against Zambia, Botswana". safa.net. 16 May 2025.
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