Banyana Banyana loses to Malawi in their first opening match of the COSAFA Women’s Championship

Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana lost 4-3 to Malawi in their opening match of the 2023 Hollywoowbets COSAFA Women’s Championship played at Lucas Moripe Stadium Pretoria on Wednesday. This was Banyana’s first match and opening of COSAFA Women’s Championship which will take place from the 4-14 October in South Africa.

This will be the seventh year in a row that the Hollywoodbets COSAFA Women’s Championship has been held, proving COSAFA’s commitment to the development of women’s football in the region. South Africa has won the COSAFA Women’s competition on seven previous occasions in 2002, 2006, 2008, 2017, 2019 and 2020. They also made the final in 2011, but lost to hosts, Zimbabwe and in 2022 they were defeated by Zambia.

“The ladies must take this defeat with a teachable mind and go back to the drawing board, we are proud of each player that has been selected to represent the squad, and we wish them all the best in all of their games. We know that this team will rise to the occasion and represent themselves and South Africa with excellence. The team has built a great momentum for themselves, and we have seen that in the way they have performed in their past games. We believe the confidence levels of the team and the pride to represent their country will contribute positively towards the performance of Sasol Banyana Banyana in this year’s edition of COSAFA” said Sasol Senior Manager: Group Brand and Sponsorship, Nozipho Mbatha.

Banyana Banyana who were recently defeated by the USA in their friendly international that took place on the 21 and 24 September in Cincinnati and Chicago will be using this competition to expand their playing pool as the local players are given a chance to gain more action by coach Desiree Ellis.

The team still has a chance to go back to the drawing board and fix their mistakes as they will be facing Madagascar on the 7^th of October in Dobsonville Stadium and Eswatini on the 10^th of October again at Dobsonville Stadium.

Below is the fixture for the upcoming games: