Banyana Banyana opened their 2025 #ThreeNations series account with a hard fought 3-2 victory against Botswana’s Mares at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville, on Wednesday, 28 May 2025.
The Sasol-sponsored South African senior women’s national team took an early lead in the 13th minute with Adrielle Mibe scoring her maiden Banyana Banyana goal. Jermaine Seoposenwe extended the lead with goals in the 16th and 36th minutes, showcasing her experience and composure on the field.
Botswana responded with determination, as Lesego Radiakanyo netted a goal in the 41st minute, followed by Laone Moloi’s strike in the 63rd minute, narrowing the scoreline and intensifying the match’s competitiveness.
“I feel great after my first goal, it’s an icebreaker to many more, and I’m happy about it.”
Adrielle Mibe reflecting on her debut goal for Banyana Banyana
Banyana Banyana coach Dr. Desiree Ellis acknowledged the team’s performance, noting areas for improvement. “The first goal, we knew they were going to play the ball long. The second goal we gave away. We said, ‘Be patient on the ball, don’t force it’, yet we played into the traffic when we could’ve played wide,” she said.
“A little bit of a lapse in concentration. The tempo went down a bit in the second half. In the first half, it was very high, we moved the ball, but in the second half, we didn’t move the ball around, and we didn’t move around.”
Looking ahead, Dr Ellis emphasised the need for better ball possession.
“We could’ve been better in our possession, we gave the ball away a lot in our possession, and we need to be better at that.”
Banyana Banyana Head Coach, Dr Desiree Ellis
Botswana’s coach, Alex Malete, reflected on his team’s performance. “In the first half, we made a lot of technical errors, where we were not precise in terms of what it is we wanted to do.”
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“If we’re starting the play from the back, we’re saying we want to attract pressure, but when we attracted pressure, we were not able to identify the moment when we should have played the ball forward,” said Malete. “So that we can have a lot more advanced area actions.”
Malete also highlighted the next match against Zambia on Saturday, 31 May 2025.
“Against Zambia, we’re going to play a different game to test different approaches.”
Botswana Head Coach, Alex Malete
The #ThreeNations Series continues with Botswana facing Zambia on Saturday, 31 May, followed by South Africa’s match against Zambia on Tuesday, 3 June. All matches are scheduled to kick off at 15:00 at Lucas Moripe Stadium.
Tickets are available via Ticketpro, priced at R40 for adults and R20 for children. This series provides a critical platform for all three teams to fine-tune their strategies and assess their readiness ahead of the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco in July 2025.
International Friendly AFCON 2025 Preparation Three-Nations Series
Wed 28 May – South Africa 3-2 Botswana
15h00 Sat 31 May – Botswana vs Zambia
15h00 Tue 3 June – South Africa vs Zambia
Banyana Banyana Squad for Zambia and Botswana International Friendly
Kaylin Swart – JVW FC
Andile Dlamini – Mamelodi Sundowns FC
Jessica Williams – University of Cape Town FC
Casey Gordon – JVW FC
Lebohang Ramalepe – Mamelodi Sundowns FC
Fikile Gagama – University of the Western Cape FC
Gabriela Salgado – JVW FC
Sharkira O’Malley – Western Michigan University (USA)
Tiisetso Makhubela – Mamelodi Sundowns FC
Bambanani Mbane – Mamelodi Sundowns FC
Karabo Dhlamini – Mamelodi Sundowns FC
Bongeka Gamede – Nordsjaelland (Denmark)
Linda Mothlalo – Glasgow City (Scotland)
Nonhlanhla Mthandi – Mamelodi Sundowns FC
Refiloe Jane – TS Galaxy FC
Amogelang Motau – Club Tijuana (Mexico)
Regina Mogalola – JVW FC
Renniker Khoza – University of Fort Hare FC
Adrielle Mibe – UJ FC
Hildah Mgaia – Club Tijuana (Mexico)
Jermaine Seoposenwe – CF Monterray (Mexico)
Bonolo Mokoma – JVW FC
Kgaelebane Mohlakoana – TP Mazembe (DR Congo)
Michelle Sampson – University of Fort Hare FC
Original Copy: SAFA, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: Adrielle Mibe opened scoring for Banyana Banyana with her maiden international goal before No. 20 Jermaine Seoposenwe added a brace ahead of half-time to open the AFCON 2025 Preparation Three-Nations Series 3-2 in favour of hosts South Africa at the Lucas Moripe Stadium, in Atteridgeville, Gauteng, on Wednesday, 28 May 2025. Photo: Sasol in Sport
