Banyana Banyana Exit WAFCON as Kgatlana’s Absence and SAFA Issues Raise Questions

• Banyana Banyana crashed out of WAFCON after a 2-1 semi-final loss to Nigeria, ending their longest unbeaten run in the tournament’s history
• Briefly News had an exclusive interview with football journalist Vincent Maseko, who believes Thembi Kgatlana’s absence was felt in crucial matches
• Several other factors may have contributed to the underwhelming performance

Banyana Banyana bowed out of the Women's African Cup of Nations after losing 2-1 to bitter rivals Nigeria, in a semi-final match that ended their longest unbeaten run in the tournament.

The ladies failed to defend the title they won in 2023 after a less convincing display in this tournament, where they missed their star Thembi Kgatlana, who withdrew from the squad for personal reasons.

Their first game, which saw them draw against Ghana 1-1, with a goal from defender Bambanani Mbane, told the story of a team bereft of attacking options.

Read also

A football commentator posted a viral video reacting to Banyana Banyana's loss with a Nigerian accent

Briefly News had an exclusive interview with football journalist Vincent Maseko, who acknowledged that the South Africans missed Kgatlana in most of the intense games due to her pace and ability to unlock any team’s defence:

The absence of Thembi Kgatlana a major factor

"One feels Thembi was a huge miss in the Nigeria match and in that Ghana game as well. If you watched the first game, you could foresee a problem for them (Banyana Banyana) because Ghana plays intense football, just like their neighbours Nigeria, so it was always going to be very difficult for Banyana Banyana against a much more fierce and pressing Nigerian side."

The Super Falcons, who are hunting for a 10th continental title, created a lot of chances, and if it were not for the brilliance of South Africa's goalkeeper Andile Dlamini, they could have scored more. The Banyana Banyana defence was caught napping on several occasions.

Read also

Actress Deli Malinga joins March and March Movement: "You need to stand up"

SAFA's financial problems overshadow Banyana's camp

"I think SAFA needs to look at themselves in the mirror and wonder if they did not contribute to the underwhelming performance by the ladies. The Thembi issue could be the tip of the iceberg; no one knows why she withdrew. It could have been anything, could be the culture of SAFA not paying players their salaries on time."

There were reports, days before the tournament, that the ladies boycotted training as they protested over outstanding salaries dating as far back as April.

With such low morale in the camp, and also coach Desiree Ellis still working without a contract, the football mother body could have contributed to the team’s failure to perform at the highest level.

Coach Desiree Ellis explains why Banyana Banyana lost?

Briefly News previously reported that Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis explained why her team lost to the Super Falcons of Nigeria in the semi-final of the Women's Africa Cup of Nations on Tuesday evening.

Read also

A football superfan went viral on TikTok for hilarious, patriotic Banyana Banyana match commentary

During the post-match press conference, Ellis explained how a gruesome injury affected Banyana Banyana players, which led them to concede a late goal in the match.

Proofreading by Kelly Lippke, copy editor at Briefly.co.za.

Source: Briefly News