Banyana Banyana, South Africa’s women national team have been quite active in 2023 and we take a look at their top scorers so far in the current calendar year.
The current champions of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations were also at the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
Qualifiers for the next WAFCON and the Olympics in Paris have started and they are one of the favourites to represent the continent in the final showpiece and also a chance to defend the title they won in Morocco back in 2022 – their first-ever women’s title.
They have been involved in at least ten games including friendlies in 2023 so far and here is a look at their results and top scorer in the year under review.
Banyana Banyana results in 2023
Desiree Ellis’ side played four games at the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand before going out in the round of 16. Meanwhile, they have featured in a series of friendly games and are currently preparing for the next set of qualifiers for the WAFCON and 2024 Olympics.
South Africa kicked things off in the new year with a 3-0 win over Uzbekistan in February. Jermaine Seoposenwe, an own goal and Noxolo Cesane got the goals in the Turkish Women’s Cup tournament in Turkey.
To cap off the series, Banyana Banyana played out a 1-1 draw with Slovenia. Hildah Magaia cancelled out a first-half goal from Adrijana Mori.
The South Africans did not come together again until April when they suffered a 3-2 loss to Serbia. Magaia and Seoposenwe got South Africa’s goals while Violeta Slovic, Milicia Mijatovic and Allegra Poljak scored for the hosts at the Sportski Centar FSS in Serbia.
Meanwhile, a number of their World Cup bound players missed the pre-world cup friendly because of a bonus row and the makeshift side lost 5-0 Botswana.
After the matter was resolved, the Banyana Banyana played against Costa Rica in New Zealand ahead of the World Cup and they won 2-0. Thembi Kgatlana and Magaia scored in either half to send Ellis’ side into the World Cup in high spirit.
In their World Cup opener against Sweden, Magaia scored once again to hand her side the lead but the Europeans staged an incredible comeback to win the match 2-1 in the end.
Five days later, they surrendered a two-goal lead as Argentina rallied back to deny them their first win of the tournament. Kgatlana and Linda Motlhalo scored for the South Africans only for the South Americans to bounce back through Sophia Braun and Romina Nunez.
Banyana Banyana defeated Italy 3-2 in their final group game to book their spot in the next round of the tournament. An own goal plus goals from Kgatlana and Magaia helped secure their progression.
Those were the last goals they scored as they have fired blanks since then in their next three games – World Cup round of 16 clash against The Netherlands and two friendlies against the USA.
Who is Banyana Banyana’s top goalscorer in 2023 so far?
Hildah Magaia is Banyana Banyana’s top scorer in 2023 with five goals to her name.
This article was most recently revised and updated 2 months ago
