Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies continue to make their mark on the continental stage, with the Club’s players playing pivotal roles as Banyana Banyana booked their place in the semi-finals of the ongoing CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.
Sundowns Ladies contributed 11 players to South Africa’s squad for the tournament. The Brazilians’ representatives are Andile Dlamini, Lebohang Ramalepe, Karabo Dhlamini, Asanda Hadebe, Bambanani Mbane, Khutso Pila, Noxolo Cesane, Nonhlanhla Mthandi, Isabella Ludwig, Ronnel Donnelly and Nthabiseng Majiya.
The tournament got off to a difficult start for Banyana Banyana, who suffered a narrow 2-1 defeat to Tanzania. Bambanani Mbane pulled South Africa level with a stoppage-time header before halftime, but Tanzania restored their advantage late in the match.
Despite the result, Sundowns Ladies players featured prominently throughout the encounter, with Andile Dlamini, Lebohang Ramalepe, Karabo Dhlamini, Bambanani Mbane, Noxolo Cesane, Isabella Ludwig, Nthabiseng Majiya and Ronnel Donnelly all featuring.
Banyana Banyana showed tremendous character in their second Group B fixture against Ivory Coast. Trailing 2-0, South Africa mounted a spirited comeback as Hildah Magaia reduced the deficit before Thembi Kgatlana converted a dramatic stoppage-time equalizer to earn a valuable 2-2 draw.
Once again, Sundowns Ladies formed the backbone of the side, with Karabo Dhlamini, Bambanani Mbane, Noxolo Cesane, Ronnel Donnelly, Nthabiseng Majiya and Isabella Ludwig all featuring.
South Africa then secured their place in the knockout stages with a disciplined 1-0 victory over Burkina Faso. Thembi Kgatlana scored the decisive goal in the 21st minute, while the Sundowns Ladies contingent once again played a key role, with Karabo Dhlamini, Bambanani Mbane, Noxolo Cesane, Lebohang Ramalepe, Nonhlanhla Mthandi, Ronnel Donnelly and Isabella Ludwig all contributing to another resilient team performance.
Overall, South Africa finished second in Group B on four points, behind Ivory Coast, to qualify for the quarter-finals.
Banyana Banyana’s reward is a quarter-final clash against tournament hosts Morocco at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat on Saturday, 8 August. A place in the semi-finals would also guarantee South Africa qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, as the tournament’s top four teams qualify automatically, while the fifth- and sixth-placed teams advance to the inter-confederation play-offs.
Everyone at Mamelodi Sundowns wishes our players and the entire Banyana Banyana squad the very best as they continue their quest for continental glory and strive to make South Africa proud once again.
