The Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana beat the odds when they emerged victorious with a score-line of 2-1 against Morocco at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in their hometown of Rabat.
The South African side went into this game with determination, knowing that the number of Moroccans in the stadium would far exceed that of South Africans, making them invisible. The African Diski Queens did not see this as a challenge but rather an occasion to rise to.
Banyanya Banyana held on to the messages of support they received from President Cyril Ramaphosa, delivered via video, Sasol CEO & President, Fleetwood Grobler, including that of the Ambassador of South Africa in Morocco, Mr Ebrahim Edries, and the many South Africans who continued to pledge their support via social and digital platforms.
Hildah Magaia, a product of the Sasol League and now plays for Sejong Sportstoto in South Korea, scored a brace for Banyana Banyana, putting the team in the lead and ultimately winning the prized AWCON trophy.
When Magaia was interviewed by SAFA in 2021, about the role that Sasol League played in her life, she said she would always appreciate what it had done for her and most of the players – that it has birthed stars that are today known around the world.
The story of Magaia mirrors that of many Banyana Banyana players who started their football playing careers with the Sasol League. This speaks true to Sasol’s ambition of wanting to see female footballers progress, growing from the grassroots level to playing on world stages.
Dean Somerset, Sasol Manager: Group Brand and Sponsorships celebrated Banyana Banyana’s win with much excitement, taking to the field to dance with the team in celebration of this mammoth victory. “This is a big feat for Banyana Banyana and the country – South Africa. Seeing the team lift that trophy filled me with pride and joy as it took me back to when Sasol first entered into a partnership with SAFA to make a difference in women’s football in the country. Today the seed that we planted then is blossoming, and we are beginning to reap the fruits. Banyana Banyana are the epitome of the live the impossible sentiment, and the AWCON final was another demonstration of the team continuing to be a symbol of hope, having role models for those who have doubted themselves in the past.
“We also applaud the great work done by the technical team in ensuring that the game plan was solid. The World Cup will entail a lot of preparation, and we, as Sasol, remain fully behind you and will continue to rally South Africa to continue to support you as you go onto the Fifa Women World Cup preparations”.
