The hunter becomes the hunted as reigning champions
South Africa kick off their WAFCON 2024 campaign against Ghana on Monday at the
Honneur Stadium in Oujda, Morocco.
After clinching their historic first title in 2022,
Banyana Banyana return with a target on their backs. Coach Desiree Ellis,
leading the side in her fourth WAFCON as head coach, acknowledges the
heightened expectations. “This is a new tournament. Teams have evolved. We’re
contenders like everyone else,” she said.
Captain Refiloe Jane emphasised the importance of a
strong start: “Ghana are a powerhouse. We want to win the opener to set the
tone.”
South Africa’s squad blends experienced stars like
Jane, Linda Motlhalo, and Jermaine Seoposenwe, with promising newcomers such as
Ronnel Donnelly. With back-to-back group-stage wins over Nigeria in previous
editions, the team brims with belief.
For Ghana, this marks a return to WAFCON after missing
the 2022 edition. Head coach Kim Björkegren, in charge since January, sees the
tournament as a fresh start. “We’re the dark horses in Group C. There’s quality
in this squad,” he said.
Veteran Portia Boakye leads a largely new-look team
featuring debutants like Evelyn Badu and Comfort Yeboah. Goalkeeper Cynthia
Konlan added: “We’re underdogs, but we want to win.”
The match renews one of WAFCON’s oldest rivalries.
Ghana and South Africa first met at the inaugural tournament in 1998 and have
since clashed seven times, with Ghana holding four wins to South Africa’s two.
As the champions aim to protect their crown, Ghana
seek redemption — setting the stage for a high-stakes showdown in Group C.
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