JOHANNESBURG – Banyana Banyana left for Morocco on Saturday carrying South Africa’s hopes of reclaiming the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title.
Supporters, led by football superfan Mama Joy Chauke, gathered at OR Tambo International Airport to give the team a colourful farewell as the Stayfree-backed Goals 4 Pads campaign travelled with the squad.
The send-off came a day after Coach Desiree Ellis named her final 26-player squad for the continental tournament, where South Africa will attempt to reclaim the title they first won in 2022 while chasing qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Mama Joy leads Banyana Banyana’s WAFCON send-off
Wrapped in South African colours and carrying her trademark energy, Mama Joy greeted players as they arrived, posed for photographs with supporters and led chants that echoed through the airport terminal.
Among those she welcomed was midfielder Gabriela Moodaly-Salgado, who returns to the national squad after missing the previous WAFCON campaign.
She also greeted head coach Dr Desiree Ellis as the team stepped off the bus before making their way into the terminal.
The atmosphere reflected growing public support for women’s football as travellers stopped to applaud, wave flags and wish Banyana well ahead of their departure for Morocco.
Goals 4 Pads campaign backs Banyana in Morocco
Alongside the songs and celebrations, Saturday’s farewell also shone a light on the Goals 4 Pads initiative.
Launched this week through a partnership between Stayfree and SAFA, the campaign will donate 1,000 packs of sanitary pads for every goal Banyana score during WAFCON, with schools, football academies and community organisations able to receive the donations through a nomination process.
Speaking at the airport, Stayfree Brand Manager Zamashandu Mbatha said seeing the support for Banyana reinforced why the company chose to partner with the national team.
“Women’s football is still underfunded. We wanted to invest in a moment that matters, and there couldn’t be a better partner than Banyana Banyana. They represent hope and resilience for young girls across South Africa,” she said.
The initiative forms part of SAFA’s partnership with Stayfree, which aims to remove menstrual health barriers that often prevent girls from taking part in football and other sports.
Banyana chase WAFCON title and World Cup place
South Africa head to Morocco determined to reclaim the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title after their semi-final exit at the 2025 tournament ended their reign as African champions.
This year’s competition carries added significance as it also serves as a qualifier for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Defender Karabo Dhlamini said the squad understands exactly what is at stake.
“Everyone is ready because we know how big this tournament is. It’s not just about winning WAFCON, it’s also about qualifying for the World Cup next year.”
Reflecting on last year’s campaign, she added:
“Sometimes those things happen. We tried our best and reached the semi-finals, but it didn’t go the way we wanted. This time we know what we must do, and everybody is ready to give 100 percent.”
South Africa first lifted the WAFCON trophy in 2022, becoming only the third nation outside Nigeria to win the continental title. Their reign ended at the 2025 tournament following a semi-final exit, leaving Ellis’ side with the opportunity to reclaim the crown in Morocco.
The team’s WAFCON campaign comes just over a month after Bafana Bafana’s FIFA World Cup exit, placing fresh attention on South Africa’s senior national teams as Banyana look to write another chapter in the country’s football history.
Banyana open their Group B campaign against Tanzania on 27 July, before facing Ivory Coast on 31 July and Burkina Faso on 4 August. Fans can follow the official WAFCON fixtures and schedule throughout the tournament.
Every match in Morocco now carries double significance. Banyana are chasing a return to the top of African football, while every goal they score will unlock more sanitary pad donations through the Goals 4 Pads initiative, extending the team’s impact well beyond the final whistle.
Also read: Sandile Zungu confirms SAFA presidency challenge | Period shame and menstrual health: How Bontle Modiselle broke the silence
