Banyana Banyana upbeat ahead of COSAFA Womens Championship opener

South Africa will face Malawi in their tournament opener at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium, kick off at 3pm.

Speaking to SABC Sport, Gordon emphasised the importance of building momentum ahead of this year’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.

“Preparations are going well. There is a lot of energy in the camp and the players understand how important it is for us to deliver a strong performance leading up to

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WAFCON. Finishing the COSAFA tournament on a high will give us confidence going

into WAFCON. It will also help us identify areas where we need to improve and what

works well for the team,” said Gordon.

The 18-year-old goalkeeper linked up with the senior squad over the weekend after South Africa’s exit from the 2026 FIFA Women’s Under-20 World Cup Africa Qualifiers.

Despite the disappointment, Gordon says she has put the setback behind her.

“Coming from the U20s, I needed some time to recover from the game against Ghana, but I’ve settled in well and I’m fully recovered. I’m ready to give my best for Banyana and I’m excited to see what I can contribute to the team,” she added.

Gordon also highlighted the significance of a strong start to the tournament.

“It’s always important to win your first match at any tournament because it sets the tone. We want to deliver a good performance to build confidence heading into the second

game and the rest of the competition,” she expressed.