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FT's 10 Best Moments of 2018: #4 Banyana writes new history
The South African Women’s national team went at 2018 head first, ushering in a new era for women’s football on the continent. Bayana Bayana may have finished runners-up in AWCON18, but they set some unprecedented records doing it.
At FirstTouch, we have a saying that goes like, “a year is never over until we close it.” In the spirit of that ideal, we took our time to look back at the ten most defining moments of 2018, as far as African football is concerned. Could you guess what they are? Ready for number 4?
South Africa line up prior to to the Women's Group E first round match between South Africa and China PR on Day 1 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on August 6, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
(Aug. 5, 2016 - Source: Harry How/Getty Images South America)
This happens to be one of the moret recent of moments but easily one of our favorites. The South African football team became the perfect illustration of how women’s football is developing on the continent.
Banyana Banyana which means, “Girls, Girls” in their local dialect were arguably the women’s team of the year in my humble opinion. South Africa blew teams away in the 2018 Africa Women Cup of Nations qualifiers, which seemed like routine victories but ones that were ushering in the winds of change. With one of the continent’s most respected teams, Cameroon, invited to the COSAFA tournament in Zimbabwe, South Africa went all the way to lift the Southern African glory trophy defeating the She-polopolo of Zambia in the final. It got even more interesting.
The Super Falcons of Nigeria who happen to the most successful women’s team on the continent by winning eight AWCON trophies had made the game predictable and somewhat not so interesting. Thomas Dennerby’s girls still won the ninth title this month but under very different circumstances. They were humbled to a 1-0 defeat by South Africa in their opening match, narrowly booked a finals place by edging the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon on penalties and even triumphing over Banyana also via a penalty shoot-out in the final. All this coupled by some interesting upsets that involved the likes of Mali eliminating the revered tournament hosts, Ghana from the tournament, signal the evolvement of women’s football on the continent as the playing field becomes more level and interesting.
Banyana in particular have a lot to celebrate as they secured their first ever FIFA World Cup qualification guaranteeing them a trip to France next year. Even the balance of power in terms of the most outstanding individual performances usually rooted in the Nigerian camp was not to be. Banyana’s Thembi Kgatlana scooped the top goal scorer award for the 2018 AWCON after some brilliant solo performances.
There are really exciting times ahead as far as the continent’s women football is concerned.
“All this coupled by some interesting upsets that involved the likes of Mali eliminating the revered tournament hosts, Ghana from the tournament, signal the evolvement of women’s football on the continent as the playing field becomes more level and interesting.”
2018 Africa Women Cup of Nations : Zimbabwe readies preparations for Zambia clash
Mighty Warriors Legend and coach, Sithelelwe Sibanda hopes ZIFA will cooperate to speed up the Zimbabwe team’s preparations for the 2018 Africa Women Cup of Nations final qualifier against Zambia.
The final qualifying round for the 2018 Women’s AFCON to be held in Ghana from November to December is almost here. Despite all their challenges on late or nonpayment of salaries by the nation’s football body (ZIFA), the Mighty Warriors of Zimbabwe are determined to put a good show when they face arch-rivals Zambia for a spot at the finals. The Mighty Warriors coach, Sithelelwe “Kwinji15” Sibanda hopes that ZIFA will come through quickly to get their preparations underway for the two-legged tie scheduled between June 4 and June 9, 2018. Kwinji15 has also underlined the importance to play a few friendly matches to get her players into the competitive mode since the country does not have a local women’s football league. Zimbabwe eliminated Namibia, 4-0 on aggregate to set up a date with Zambia who proceeds ahead of Tanzania after an aggregate score of 4-4 because of the away goals rule.
"Qualifying for the next round means tougher matches. Zambia are taking this game seriously and they have just resumed camp up to the time we play them. Hopefully, the office (ZIFA) should get something so that we start preparing . . . we just hope they organise something soon. As always all coaches want better preparations for their team.It's always ideal to get friendly matches especially when you don't have a proper league running. At the end it will always be ideal to have, at least, a longer camp, so that we can even play local friendlies and try out some combinations. It's not the best but that's the least we can do." - Kwinji 15, Zimbabwe Senior Women’s Soccer Team Coach
The last time these two teams met was at this very stage of the 2016 tournament which was won by Zimbabwe. Zambia also got their victory over the neighbors in 2014 to qualify for the Namibia tournament.
Who will emerge victoriously and book a spot at the 2018 finals?