Banyana Banyana Urged to Improve After Unconvincing WAFCON Victory Over Ghana

Banyana Banyana Criticised After Scrappy 2-0 WAFCON Win Over Ghana: Calls for Urgent Improvement – “We Need to Do Better”. 

South Africa’s senior women’s national team, Banyana Banyana, may have secured a positive result in their opening match of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), defeating Ghana 2–0, but the performance has sparked widespread criticism from analysts and fans alike.

While the reigning WAFCON champions walked away with all three points, many believe the team’s display was far from convincing. The game, played under high expectations, exposed cracks in the side’s tactical execution and midfield control, raising concerns ahead of more challenging fixtures in the competition.

Brighton Bafana: “This Performance Lacked Cohesion and Urgency”

In an exclusive interview with Briefly News, respected football analyst Brighton Bafana did not mince words in his assessment of the match. According to Bafana, Banyana Banyana’s approach on the pitch was disjointed and lacked the sharpness expected of a title-defending side.

“Banyana Banyana didn’t look sharp,” Bafana remarked. “The performance lacked cohesion, urgency, and a clear tactical direction. It was scrappy throughout. If they want to retain the title, they have to be much better going forward.”

He also pointed out the underwhelming impact of experienced midfielder Refiloe Jane, whose leadership and vision were expected to anchor the team in midfield but were noticeably absent.

“Refiloe Jane had a quiet game. For a player of her calibre and experience, that’s disappointing. We needed her to take command of the midfield battle,” he said.

Midfield and Tactical Woes: A Wake-Up Call for Coach Desiree Ellis

One of the key areas Bafana identified for immediate improvement was the midfield. According to him, South Africa failed to dominate possession or dictate the tempo, giving Ghana too much time on the ball and allowing them back into the game at various stages.

“Coach Desiree Ellis needs to make significant tactical changes in the middle of the park. The current setup isn’t allowing the team to control matches. Against tougher opponents, this will become a real problem,” Bafana explained.

Despite their defensive solidity, the lack of creativity in attack was also highlighted as a concern—especially in the absence of star forward Thembi Kgatlana, who missed the match due to injury or unavailability.

“Yes, Jermaine Seoposenwe scored a good goal, but she also missed a clear chance that could’ve ended the game earlier. We’re clearly missing Thembi Kgatlana’s explosive pace and lethal finishing. That edge is what separates good teams from champions,” he added.

Defensive Brilliance Overshadowing Attacking Shortcomings

Interestingly, Bambanani Mbane was named Player of the Match—a recognition that, according to Bafana, underlined the imbalance in Banyana’s performance.

“When a defender earns that award, it often means your team spent more time defending than attacking. That’s not the standard you want as defending champions. We should be setting the pace, not absorbing pressure,” Bafana warned.

He acknowledged that the awarded penalty, which led to the opening goal, shifted momentum in South Africa’s favour, but insisted that relying on such moments was unsustainable.

“Yes, the penalty was clear and well-taken. Ghana lost shape after that and we capitalised with a second goal. But one moment can’t mask an overall flat performance. We need to dominate, not just take chances when they come.”

Next Challenge: Tanzania Clash Demands a Statement Performance

Looking ahead, Bafana emphasised the importance of raising their standards in the next group-stage match against Tanzania, urging the team to take control from the first whistle.

“Against Tanzania, there can be no excuses. We have to control the game, own the midfield, create quality chances, and shut the door defensively. This is the perfect opportunity to show that the win against Ghana was more than just luck or a momentary spark.”

“If we don’t fix our shape and improve on ball movement, we risk being exposed. Every match at WAFCON counts, and only a consistently dominant performance will send a message to other contenders like Nigeria and Morocco,” Bafana concluded.

ALSO READ: Football Anthems in South Africa: From Kwaito to Amapiano

Final Thoughts: Winning Isn’t Enough—Dominance Is Key

Although Banyana Banyana earned a winning start to their WAFCON 2024 journey, their performance has stirred more concern than celebration. With high hopes of retaining their crown, the pressure is on coach Desiree Ellis and her squad to evolve quickly.

Fans will now watch closely to see whether Banyana can deliver a more complete and commanding performance when they face Tanzania. If they can address the tactical gaps and sharpen their attack, South Africa will remain strong contenders in the tournament.

But if the display against Ghana is any indication, there’s still a long way to go.