Banyana Face Decisive 2024 CAF Women’s Olympic Qualifier Against DR Congo at Orlando Stadium

ORLANDO — Banyana Banyana, South Africa’s senior women’s soccer team, will play a decisive second leg in the 2024 CAF Women’s Olympic qualifier against the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The crucial match will be held at Orlando Stadium on Monday afternoon.

According to a new release by South African Football Association, with the away goal rule removed, the team sponsored by Sasol will need to secure a win to advance to the next stage of the competition. The team previously drew 1-1 with DR Congo in the away leg last Wednesday. Players Jermaine Seoposenwe and Samkelisiwe Selana, who were absent for the away leg, will be available for selection on Monday.

Speaking before the first leg, Banyana Banyana player Kholosa Biyana highlighted the significance of this match in the team’s aspiration to make it to the Paris Olympics. Coach Desiree Ellis aims to draw motivation from the team’s Women’s African Cup of Nations triumph in Morocco last year, as well as their performances in the recent FIFA Women’s World Cup.

The team had qualified for the global event twice before — in 2012 under coach Joseph Mkhonza and in 2016 under coach Vera Pauw. They missed the 2019 edition after losing to Botswana.

Ellis remarked that the final training session went well with all players available. “It’s a game that we must win, a game that we must start well and take away from the opponent because they have shown that they are a very resilient team,” she said.

The match will take place on Monday at 15:00 pm at Orlando Stadium and will be broadcast live on SABC 1.