South Africa have been knocked out of the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup by The Netherlands but their 2023 has not come to an end as fans can look forward to more Banyana Banyana fixtures.
The defending Womenโs AFCON champions were making their second appearance at the finals of the womenโs global showpiece and they braved all odds to make it to the knockouts. They were unlikely to make it past the Netherlands but it was a run that many will remember.
Now, the fans can look forward to other Banyana Banyana fixtures which will be covered in this article.
The team that captured everyone's hearts. ๐ซถ๐ฟ๐ฆ@Banyana_Banyana | #FIFAWWC
— FIFA Women's World Cup (@FIFAWWC) August 6, 2023
Banyana Banyana Fixtures list: 2024 WAFCON qualifiers takes centre stage
The Banyana Banyana fixtures lineup for 2023 included a possible run to the final of the FIFA Womenโs World Cup. That would have seen the South Africa womenโs national football team remain in Australia/New Zealand until Sunday 20 August 2023.
Those games are not going to happen for Banyana Banyana.
Qualifiers for the 2024 Womenโs Africa Cup of Nations are lined up for Thembi Kgatlana and her teammates for the rest of the year.
Because of their status as defending Womenโs AFCON champions, Banyana Banyana manager Desiree Ellis, as well as her coaching staff, cut her own break short.
She is focusing on getting the team ready for the qualifiers in order to be in Morocco come 2024 for their first African title defence.
After their remarkable performance in the Women's World Cup, Banyana Banyana faced a series of challenging encounters.
They engaged in two friendly matches against the United States, but unfortunately, came up short in both games, with scores of 3-0 and 2-0 in the U.S.'s favor.
However, Banyana Banyana's spirit remained undaunted as they entered the COSAFA Women's Cup group stage in October.
Their journey started with a thrilling but narrow 4-3 loss to Malawi. Determined to bounce back, they secured a 3-1 victory against Madagascar and a convincing 3-0 win over Eswatini in subsequent matches.
Later in the month, on the 25th, they faced DR Congo in the first leg of the second round of the CAF Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament and battled to a hard-fought 1-1 draw.
Below is the Banyana Banayan results list of 2023 so far.
| Result | Classification |
|---|---|
| USWNT 3-0 South Africa | International Friendlies |
| USWNT 2-0 South Africa | International Friendlies |
| South Africa 3-4 Malawi | COSAFA Women's Cup group |
| South Africa 3-1 Madagascar | COSAFA Women's Cup group |
| South Africa 3-0 Eswatini | COSAFA Women's Cup group |
| DR Congo 1-1 South Africa | 2024 Summer Olympics qualifiers second round |
As the anticipation builds, Banyana Banyana is all set to host DR Congo on the 30th in the return leg, with their eyes firmly fixed on Olympic qualification.
Below is the Banyana Banayan fixtures list for the rest of 2023.
๐ ๐๐โโ๐๐๐ผ๐๐ผโ๐ ๐
๐ฃ๏ธ "๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐"
Banyana Banyana midfielder Linda Motlhalo's reaction after their exit from the #FIFAWWC tournament.#SABCSportFootball #Sisonke #GameChangeHer pic.twitter.com/MTBBYKYKtt
— SABC Sport (@SABC_Sport) August 6, 2023
| Date | Opponent | Classification |
|---|---|---|
| October 31 | DR Congo | 2024 Summer Olympics qualifiers second round |
| November 27 | TBD | 2024 Womenโs AFCON qualifiers second round |
| December 5 | TBD | 2024 Womenโs AFCON qualifiers second round |
How South Africa were eliminated from the 2023 FIFA Womenโs World Cup
Desiree Ellis and her team will be leaving Sydney, Australia for what will no doubt be a heroineโs welcome in South Africa. Still, they will be sad that their fans did not get to witness more World Cup action in the Banyana Banyana fixtures.
The Netherlands, their round of 16 opponents, beat them convincingly by two goals to nothing in the game which was played at the Allianz Stadium.
The Dutch went ahead in the ninth minute after forcing a defensive error, leaving Jill Roord to head home unmarked at the back post.
South Africa huffed and puffed with captain Kgatlana providing most of Banyana Banyana's attacking threat. However, it was the Dutch who had clearer opportunities and former Barcelona attacker Lieke Martens even had a goal ruled out for offside.
She turned provider in the 68th minute when her through ball found Lineth Beerensteyn who shot first time at Kaylin Swart in the South Africa goal. The Banyana Banyana goalkeeper spilt the shot after catching it and it rolled into the back of her net to send the Dutch two-nil up.
A goalkeeping error that can happen to any goalkeeper. Resist the urge to bash her every game day and give credit where it's due. Unlucky that it was costly, but what a great game she's had. Can't take that away from her performance today. โค๏ธ #FIFAWWC #BanyanaBanyana pic.twitter.com/oCL8PpN1l8
— Naqua Production Stan โค๏ธ (@Tebo_Motebejane) August 6, 2023
It was an unfortunate end to an excellent tournament for Banyana Banyana, whose fans will now look forward to other Banyana Banyana fixtures.
This article was most recently revised and updated 12 months ago
