What next for Banyana after World Cup loss? Banyana Banyana fixtures – Full list

What next for Banyana after World Cup loss? Banyana Banyana fixtures - Full list
Credit: Icon Sport

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 Women’s AFCON champions were making their second appearance at the finals of the women’s 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.

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 Women’s World Cup. That would have seen the South Africa women’s national football team remain in Australia/New Zealand until Sunday 20 August 2023.

Those games are not going to happen for Banyana Banyana which means they will have a month of rest until their next team camp.

Friendlies and qualifiers for the 2024 Women’s 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 Women’s AFCON champions, Banyana Banyana manager Desiree Ellis, as well as her coaching staff, will be cutting her own break short. She will be focused on getting the team ready for the qualifiers in order to be in Morocco come 2024 for their first African title defence.

Sandwiched in between the friendlies and the Women’s AFCON qualifiers are qualifiers for the 2024 Summer Olympics. South Africa are seeking their third Olympics ticket and the first team in their path is the Democratic Republic of Congo. Below is the Banyana Banayan fixtures list for the rest of 2023 after their elimination from the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Date Opponent Classification
22 September USWNT International Friendlies
24 September USWNT International Friendlies
23 October DR Congo 2024 Summer Olympics qualifiers second round
31 October DR Congo 2024 Summer Olympics qualifiers second round
27 November TBD 2024 Women’s AFCON qualifiers second round
5 December TBD 2024 Women’s AFCON qualifiers second round

How South Africa were eliminated from the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup

Desiree Ellis and her team will be leaving Sydney, Australia for what will no doubt be a heroine’s 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.

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 2 months ago

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