Banyana Banyana win WAFCON Fair Play Award after falling short of title defence

South Africa's Banyana Banyana returned from the 13th TCAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco with mixed emotions.

They failed to defend their title, finishing fourth after a semi-final loss against Nigeria. However, they were recognised with the prestigious Fair Play Award for their commendable sportsmanship throughout the tournament.

The Fair Play Award, determined by CAF’s Technical Study Group based on a multitude of criteria encompassing on-field behaviour, respect for opponents and officials, and overall commitment to the spirit of the game, saw South Africa accumulate an impressive total of 510 points.

Banyana’s discipline on the pitch shone through in their minimal fouls and lack of excessive protests during matches, reflecting a deep respect for both their opponents and the authority of the game.

Even amidst the pressures of high-stakes matches, such as the quarter-final clash against Senegal and the semi-final against Nigeria, skipper Refiloe Jane and her teammates maintained their composure. Their exemplary conduct resonated well beyond the pitch as their deep-rooted ethos of sportsmanship and commitment to fair play shone through.

Coach Desiree Ellis, a three-time winner of the Best African Women’s Coach Award, has cultivated a culture within the Banyana that prioritises collective effort, respect, and solidarity. This indeed sets an example for other teams and reiterates the positive reputation of South African women’s football.

However, despite these accolades, the disappointment of not finishing on the podium was palpable among players. Jane candidly expressed their frustration at being unable to retain the championship title.

“We are disappointed to be going home empty-handed," she remarked.

"It wasn’t an easy one for the players, and there were a lot of challenges on and off the pitch. But we tried to put in a great performance and aimed to keep the trophy as the main objective."

This was the first time in three editions of the tournament that Banyana Banyana did not finish in the top three, having previously claimed silver in 2018 and gold in 2022.

“There’s a lot of work still to be done, and we hope that in the next WAFCON, which is very important as it serves as a World Cup qualifying tournament, we can do well,” Jane added, hinting at the potential changes and adjustments within the team.

"Given the situation within the camp and the players we had, we’re hoping that a lot of positives can be taken from this tournament and build on that.”