The South African Football Association (Safa) on Monday praised the women’s national team, Banyana Banyana, for winning gold at the Cosafa Women’s Tournament that took place in Zambia last week. Banyana Banyana beat Namibia 3-1 in the final, thus ensuring that the team finished the tournament unbeaten.
”We are proud of the achievement of our senior national women’s team in winning the Cosafa title. They have contributed positively to the country’s celebration of women’s month.
”We would like to congratulate all the players under the able leadership of head coach Augustine Makalakalane, head of women’s football Nastasia Tsichlas and administrative manager Fran Hilton-Smith,” said Safa chief executive Raymond Hack.
”A lot of work has gone into re-building the team. We owe our gratitude to Lotto for helping fund the High Performance Centre that has seen a number of players based there.
”The players have gradually improved since the start of the programme as they get to work with top-class specialists who take care of their physical, psychological and nutritional needs. Results like this will hopefully encourage other companies to come on-board and support women’s football.
”Well done Banyana Banyana,” he concluded.
His words were echoed by Hilton-Smith, who sent her congratulations from Russia where she is currently working for Fifa in the Under 20 Women’s World Cup.
”I am so proud of the players and the technical staff. The results achieved in this tournament will go a long way in assisting us prepare for the fifth African Women’s Championship to be held in Nigeria in October.
”Our ultimate goal is to go beyond the African Women’s Championship to the Fifa World Cup to be held in China next year. This win in the Cosafa Tournament is a step in the right direction,” concluded Hilton-Smith. — Sapa