South Africa’s Banyana Banyana returned home with a trophy in hand, as the team were crowned Turkish Women’s Cup winners on Wednesday, 22 February 2023.
The organisers of the tournament, Envima Football, confirmed that Banyana Banyana won Group A on goal difference after beating Uzbekistan 3-0 on Saturday (18 February 2023), and drawing 1-1 with eventual runners-up Slovenia on Tuesday afternoon (21 February 2023). Both matches were played at the Emirhan Sport Complex in Antalya.
“It was very important to have a team like yours here because you are FIFA Women’s World Cup participants. This is very important and we hope at the same time this was a very good experience for you,” said Evima Football official, Evgeni Marinov.
The team also received a warm welcome on their return to South Africa at OR Tambo International Airport, among those who welcomed them were SAFA President Danny Jordaan, CEO Advocate Tebogo Motlanthe, COO Lydia Monyepao, CFO Gronie Hluyo, NEC members Job Mchunu and Jack Maluleka and media.
Jordaan said in a statement released by safa.net: “This is the second tournament and the second trophy Banyana Banyana have brought home. We are delighted. We wanted to give the team an opportunity to play European opposition.”
He added: “In their World Cup group, there are two European teams, Sweden and Italy. I think Slovenia is quite close to the quality of Italy, which will give them a good test.”
While Coach Desiree Ellis said in a statement released by safa.net: “It was a good preparation tournament. It really gave us a lot of information in terms of our players. It gave us pointers on what we still have to work on, what we did better and how we can improve as a team.”
She added: “It is a big year for the team. The World Cup is coming up and we need to make sure that we are ready. I am happy with what I saw from the players. We created chances and we managed to utilise them, especially in our first game.
“The association is trying very hard to make sure that we are ready when the World Cup starts, as well as our sponsors,” concluded Ellis.
South Africa’s Hildah Magaia, who scored the equaliser against Slovenia on Tuesday, was named the midfielder of the tournament.
Photo 1 Caption: South African Women’s Football team Banyana Banyana crowned as the Group A winners of the Turkish Women’s Cup. Photo: Banyana Banyana (Twitter)
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