Johannesburg, South Africa – 5 February 2025
South Africa’s senior women’s national team, Banyana Banyana, is set to return to action later this month with two international friendly matches against COSAFA rivals Lesotho. The games, scheduled for 22 and 25 February in Johannesburg, form part of a crucial nine-day training camp from 17 to 26 February 2025, as head coach Dr Desiree Ellis continues preparations for the upcoming Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.
This will be Banyana Banyana’s first outing of the new year, following a demanding 2024 schedule that saw them face 13 international opponents, including high-profile clashes against England, Denmark, and Jamaica. While the team narrowly missed out on a place at the Paris 2024 Olympics after a tightly contested two-legged playoff against Nigeria, the experience gained from playing stronger opposition has been invaluable in strengthening the squad’s depth and international competitiveness.
With the upcoming friendlies, Coach Ellis has a dual focus: sharpening her core squad while identifying new talent to add to her player pool ahead of WAFCON. The Banyana mentor is expected to announce her squad for these matches on 6 February 2025.
The Road to WAFCON and World Cup Qualifiers
The Lesotho matches kick-start a crucial year for South African women’s football, with 2025 featuring both WAFCON and FIFA World Cup qualifiers. South Africa is currently ranked 53rd in the world by FIFA, and their fixture list this year suggests an ongoing commitment to facing stronger opposition in their quest to remain competitive on the global stage.
Following the Lesotho friendlies, Banyana will face the same opponents in a competitive fixture on 17 March as part of their FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifying campaign. A week later, they will travel to Benin for another qualifier. Later in the year, crucial encounters against Nigeria (8 September) and Zimbabwe (6 October) will be vital in determining their qualification prospects for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup
Reflecting on 2024: A Year of Mixed Results but Solid Progress
Banyana Banyana’s 2024 campaign was a year of highs and lows, with notable victories over Tanzania, Namibia, Eswatini, and Seychelles but also some tough defeats against top-ranked teams like Denmark (0-5), England (1-2), and Jamaica (0-3, 2-3). The team’s inability to qualify for the Olympics was a setback, but their overall strategy of playing higher-ranked opponents—especially away from home—demonstrated a commitment to building a squad capable of competing at the highest level.
A major talking point heading into 2025 is the need for SAFA to secure more matches against top 40-ranked nations. While matches against regional teams such as Lesotho are valuable, testing themselves against elite opposition will be crucial for Banyana’s long-term growth. Additionally, bringing more of these high-quality fixtures to South African soil would provide local fans with a taste of world-class women’s football and further boost the sport’s popularity in the country.
What to Expect Against Lesotho
Ranked significantly lower than South Africa, Lesotho will present Banyana with an opportunity to refine tactical approaches and experiment with different combinations. These matches will also be a chance for new call-ups to prove their worth ahead of the more competitive fixtures later in the year.
Banyana’s dominance in COSAFA tournaments suggests they should comfortably handle Lesotho, but Ellis will be looking beyond the results—she will want to see a disciplined defensive unit, a fluid attacking approach, and most importantly, improved finishing in front of goal, which has been a challenge in recent matches.
The Road Ahead
With 2025 set to be a defining year for women’s football in South Africa, Banyana Banyana’s preparations will be under close scrutiny. The team has the talent and experience to make a deep run in WAFCON and push for World Cup qualification, but consistent performances against elite opposition will be key.
For now, the immediate focus is on Lesotho. While the matches may not carry the same weight as an Olympic qualifier or a WAFCON knockout game, they represent an important step in ensuring South Africa remains among Africa’s elite teams. With a busy calendar ahead, these fixtures will set the tone for what promises to be an exciting year for Banyana Banyana and their ever-growing fanbase.
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