Banyana Banyana kept fans on the edge of their seats as they snatched a 2-1 win against a resilient Malawi side in their second friendly match at Lucas Moripe Stadium in Pretoria. The game was tightly contested from the first whistle, with Malawi stunning the home crowd by opening the scoring and taking a 1-0 lead. Still, the ever-reliable Hildah Magaia brought South Africa back into the game with a crucial equalizer, injecting energy into the squad and reigniting their attacking intent. It wasn’t long before Amogelang Motau found the back of the net with a composed finish, giving South Africa a deserved 2-1 lead they would hold onto until the final whistle. For her standout performance, Amogelang was crowned the Diski Queen (Player of the match), walking away with a well-earned R10,000 prize.
The afternoon was also marked by major milestones and heartfelt celebrations. Kaylin Swart earned her 50th cap, a testament to her consistency and dedication to stopping goals for the national team. Meanwhile, a true legend of South African football, Nompumelelo “Mpumi” Nyandeni, was honoured as she officially retired from the national team after achieving an incredible 150 caps. Reflecting on her journey, Mpumi said “I’m humbled, and I would like to thank the coach for selecting me to play in these friendlies. Reaching this milestone is an achievement as I was just playing to fulfil my love for football and representing my country. I never thought I would reach this far. I’m happy to be one of the players who’ve reached this milestone.”
Looking to the future, she added: “I hope that one day I can give back to the community by coaching and supporting the young ones because South Africa is full of talent.”
Coach Desiree Ellis paid tribute to the veteran, saying: “Mpumi’s milestone is a fantastic one. Players who have contributed to the national team for such a long time need to be celebrated, and what makes it even more special is that she’s been celebrated here at home. Mpumi started as a young player and has always been dominant. We wish her well and hope she continues to achieve more in the football space.”
Sasol Senior Manager Brand and Sponsorship, Nozipho Mbatha, echoed this sentiment, saying:
“This camp speaks to success, and we are proud of the result against Malawi. We are equally proud of Noko Matlou and Mpumi’s milestones. It’s been an honour to be part of their journeys from the days of the Sasol League to representing the country on the international stage. We’ve also seen exciting new talent emerge, which speaks to the depth of women’s football in South Africa. We are confident that heading into WAFCON, Coach Ellis will know exactly what to do in pursuit of defending our title.”
With a strong performance, inspiring moments, and rising stars stepping up, the road to Morocco looks promising for Banyana Banyana. South Africans are now called to rally behind the team as they prepare to take on the continent once again.
