Sasol Banyana Banyana got off to a flying start in their Group A opener against Malawi in the 2025 COSAFA Women’s Championship in Polokwane on Wednesday, 18 February 2026.
Two second-half goals from captain of the day Sibulele Holweni, as well as substitute Bonolo Mokoma, were enough to see the hosts start their campaign on a positive note.
Head Coach Dr Desiree Ellis has selected a group of 38 players and is using the regional competition to assess the players before naming her squad for the CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) 2026, taking place in Morocco next month.
Dr Ellis gave a chance to mainly youngsters in a different-looking Sasol Banyana Banyana squad that had regulars like Refiloe Jane, Karabo Dhlamini, Bambanani Mbane, Andile Dlamini, and Noxolo Cesane watching from the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium stands.
Malawi and South Africa are using the tournament to prepare for the WAFCON, and the players showed a bit of nerves in the opening minutes of the game.
It was no surprise when there was still a stalemate at the break. After the recess, South Africa carved up a few goal-scoring opportunities before getting on the scoresheet – with debutant Sinegugu Zondi feeding Holweni, who made no mistake in the 63rd minute to give the hosts the lead.
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Dr Ellis then made some changes – Mokoma and Bongiwe Thusi checked in for Gugu Dhlamini and Isabella Ludwig, Shakira O’Malley and debutant Sbongakonke Mzobe came in for Holweni and Regina Mogolola, while Gabriela Moodaly-Salgado replaced Nthabiseng Majiya.
This was Moodaly-Salgado’s first official match since the 2-1 loss to Nigeria in July last year at the WAFCON in Morocco, where she was stretchered off with an injury. Mokoma made sure of all the points in the referee’s optional time as she grabbed her first ever goal in Sasol Banyana Banyana colours.
“We only had a few training sessions, and we had to manage everything because the season hasn’t started yet,” said Dr Ellis. “It’s going to take some time, but we liked the way they stepped up as it is a new group, a young group.”
“There are a lot of things that we worked on, and it was satisfying to see the goal and how we managed when we put the ball down because that is our strength. We know what we need to work on because it’s all about WAFCON for us. I was happy to see that everybody came through without any problems.”
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In the other Group A clash played earlier, Angola beat Lesotho 3-1 to go top of the group, leaving South Africa second. Sasol Banyana Banyana next face the Angolans on Saturday.
Sasol Banyana Banyana Starting XI
Casey Gordon (GK)
Antonio Maponya
Lonathemba Mhlongo
Khutso Pila
Sinegugu Zondi
Regina Mogolola
Isabella Ludwig
Sibulele Holweni (C)
Nonhlanhla Mthandi
Gugu Dhlamini
Nthabiseng Majiya
Substitutes
Dineo Magagula (GK)
Asanda Hadebe
Shakira O’Malley
Unathi Simayile
Bongiwe Thusi
Thorisho Mphelo
Zoe October
Gabriela Moodaly-Salgado
Sibahle Maneli
Sbongakonke Mzobe
Fiona Namanyana
Original Copy: SAFA, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: Sasol Banyana Banyana got off to a flying start in their Group A opener against Malawi in the 2025 COSAFA Women’s Championship at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Wednesday, 18 February 2026. All Photos: COSAFA
Photo 2 Caption: Player of the Match Nthabiseng Majiya keeps her eyes on the ball during a youthfull South Africa’s 2-nil win over Malawi.
