South Africa aim for perfect WAFCON start

A story of the hunter being hunted. The reigning African champions South Africa kick off their title defense against West African giants Ghana on Monday, July 7 at 5:00pm (local time) at the Honneur Stadium in Oujda, Morocco with only one thing on their mind – to commence on a high note. 

For Ghana who are returning to the continental showpiece for the first time since they hosted the TotalEnergies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) 2018, this edition presents the perfect opportunity to start afresh while building on their past successes. 

A Clash of Legacy and Zeal

Banyana Banyana find themselves in a very unique position where all eyes are on them and for the first time in their history, every team at the prestigious competition is aiming to knock them off their perch. 

Crowned champions three years ago in Morocco at the WAFCON 2022 after edging the hosts 2-1 in a heavily contested final in Rabat, they finally crossed into the promised land after falling short a forgettable four times in 2000 at home, 2008, 2012 and 2018 in Ghana when they reached the final losing to nine-time winners Nigeria and two-time champions Equatorial Guinea in no particular order.

South Africa: A Legacy to Protect

A lot is on the line for the Banyana Banyana who want to show that their 2022 success was not a fluke – that they belong at the high table of African Football. Only three teams have ever won the crown – Nigeria a record nine times, Equatorial Guinea twice and South Africa once. 

However, South Africa head coach Dr Desiree Ellis is quick to point out that this is a new page in their envious book. “We are here like any other team. Every team that comes here wants to win. A lot has changed in the last three years since we won. This is a new tournament. Teams have evolved. You cannot underestimate any team. We are a contender like any other team.” 

Ellis, who was the vice captain in South Africa’s first ever international game in May 1993, a 9-0 win over neighbours ESwatini has been part of the team’s fold since day one. Her 32-year relationship with the Banyana Banyana from being a dependable midfielder to a WAFCON-winning coach means that she is the most senior member of the team setup. 

As she heads into her fourth WAFCON as the head coach of South Africa, Ellis wants to see the same thing – commitment from her team to win the title, laser focus and consistency. Her returning captain Refiloe Jane added that, “The opening game is always difficult but we want to win it. We want to win so that the victory sets the tone for the rest of the tournament. Ghana are a powerhouse and we know the quality that they have. We cannot underestimate them.” 

Ellis will be looking to salvage the experience within her squad with senior players like Jermaine Seoposenwe, Jane, Andile Dlamini, Linda Motlhalo, Lebohang Ramalepe and Noxolo Cesane while also looking towards potential debutants like Ronnel Donnelly who featured in the CAF Women’s Champions League with the University of Western Cape last November in Morocco. 

Back-to-back wins over Nigeria in their opening fixtures at the immediate last two WAFCON editions (1-0 in 2018 and 2-1 in 2022) have given South Africa an air of self-belief according to Ellis that they want to tap into. 

Jane emphasized that as a team they have now acclimatized to the hot weather in Morocco seeing as it is winter back home. “It is hotter than it was in 2022 but we have made adjustments internally so as to be ready for the games when we get underway.” 

Ghana: A Desperate Comeback

Since reaching the final in 2006, the Black Queens have struggled to impress at the WAFCON. They failed to make it past the group stages on four occassions in 2008, 2010, 2014 and in 2018 at home. They did not qualify for the 2012 edition but finished third in 2016 in Cameroon. 

The current generation of players is looking to embrace the opportunity of being at this year’s edition and make the most of it. Playing for the first time in an expanded tournament with 12 teams, Ghana who are returning for the first time in seven years have been handed the biggest test at the tournament – to open their campaign against the reigning champions South Africa. 

“Pressure is a privledge. We want to reclaim our glory. We have improved a lot in recent times in terms of the way that we approach games. We are going into this game as the underdogs but we want to win it,” said first choice goalkeeper Cynthia Findiib Konlan with a confident smile on her face at the pre-match press conference on Sunday in Oujda.

To echo her confidence, head coach Kim Lars Björkegren who took the reigns of the Black Queens in January 2025 after the suddden departure of Nora Hüptle who is now with Zambia added that, “It was super important that we came early to Morocco. We are physically better than a month ago. I think the players agree with me. We have depth in our squad and that is going to be very important for us. Ghana has so much talent and with my Swedish touch, I think that we can build something remarkable here.” 

“We are the dark horses in Group C. We have the quality to beat all the teams in the group. I am looking forward to start. We have a good chance to be successful,” he added with a smile. 

Only four players have WAFCON experience in the current squad including veteran Portia Boakye – the most capped Ghanaian female player who is hoping to make it 105 caps against South Africa, Grace Asantewaa, Sherifatu Sumaila and Alice Kusi. 

Clinical goalscorer Evelyn Badu – the CAF Women’s Champions League 2021 Best Player and Top Scorer with Hasaacas Ladies and Comfort Yeboah who impressed with Ampem Darkoa Ladies two years later making it to the Tournament Best XI at just 16 years, will be hoping to make perfect WAFCON debuts. 

Familiar foes

The first ever WAFCON fixture for both Ghana and South Africa was a matchup between the two teams at the first edition in 1998 and they have gone on to meet six more times – four times in the group stages, twice in the semifinals and once in a third place playoff. 

The Black Queens have emerged victorious a notable four times, South Africa winning just twice and they have recorded one draw. In the history of the WAFCON, Ghana is the team that South Africa has faced the most - establishing a rivalry between west and south. 

On two occassions, the two teams faced off in their WAFCON opening fixture with Ghana winning on both occassions including an emphatic 4-0 victory in 1998 and 3-0 in 2004 marking the first and only time in the 12-edition history of the WAFCON that the hosts have lost the opening fixture.