SAFA satisfied with Banyana Banyana’s FIFA World Cup run but set sights on 2027

The second batch of Banyana players and management arrived at OR Tambo International Airport on Wednesday night, with Monyepao expressing the federation’s satisfaction with the African champions, who once again made history Down Under. 

READ: Desiree Ellis proud of Banyana Banyana despite World Cup exit

Coach Desiree Ellis' charges for the first time won a match at a World Cup – a marked improvement on their first showpiece in France in 2019, where they lost all group games, but moreover became the first senior side – for men and women – to advance to the World Cup knockout stages as they reached the round of 16.

"History made for CAF and Africa, and also for the South African Football Association – they managed to get to the round of 16 and also get some points out of the group stages," said Monyepao.

"I think we are really proud. We had set a target for them to at least get to the round of 16, and they had also set a further target for themselves to get to the quarterfinals.

"But I think, with what they have achieved, we are really happy, but obviously we need to go back and step up in terms of women's football development to ensure there's continuity so that come 2027, we can even go a step further than how the girls performed in this World Cup." 

READ: France thump Morocco to send them packing from World Cup