The South African football team won its first women’s CAN 2-1 on Saturday. The “Banyana Banyana” – the nickname given to South Africans, which means “girls” in Zulu – were in the final of this African Cup for the sixth time in their history. Many in their home countries hope that their impressive journey will further develop women’s football in the country.
With our correspondent in Johannesburg, Claire Bargeles
At the age of 19, Mkamogeleng Tshoki is the captain of a football team from Soweto, the “Diepkloof Ladies”. She carefully followed the course of the “Banyana Banyana” during this African Cup of Nations (CAN) and hopes that their aura can serve the cause of women’s sport: ” They pave the way for us to be given more attention. In Soweto, it’s not always easy. Women’s football is not yet taken seriously. So every time the Banyana win and people watch them, we get a little more appreciation. »
The Diepkloof Ladies play in a semi-professional league which brings together some 3,000 players. And since 2019, a professional league has been created to oversee everything.
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Bring in sponsors
For footballer Gontse Makhoti, the more successful the Banyana are, the more likely the system will be to develop. ” It’s a little easier now and there are already more girls playing football. There are also new teams that are created, but it is very slow because it is not the first time that the Banyana Banyana participate in the African Cup. We can see that they are considered a little better, which helps the environment to develop and the teams to grow. »
For Diepkloof Ladies president Peter Mafa, the national team journey is not just about recruiting more girls. ” This can bring more sponsors within our league because for the moment, we have very few in women’s football, he hopes. We only run the team with our own money. »
The Banyana Banyana will have another chance to shine at the World Cup next year, for which they have already qualified.