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Banyana Banyana’s victory at Africa Women’s Cup of Nations will have a positive effect on Team SA at the 2022 Commonwealth Games

SASCOC, Team SA join in Banyana Banyana celebrations

SASCOC, Team SA join in Banyana Banyana celebrations
 

Banyana Banyana’s victory at Africa Women’s Cup of Nations will have a positive effect on Team SA at the 2022 Commonwealth Games

Banyana Banyana’s victory at the Africa Women’s Cup of Nations was celebrated and recognised by the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) as one of the great sporting moments in our country’s history.

Banyana Banyana won the final when they beat hosts Morocco 2-1 on Saturday night, to be crowned African champions for the first time.

Both the SASCOC president, Barry Hendricks, and the first vice-president, Lwandile Simelane, are currently in Birmingham with Team SA ahead of the 2022 Commonwealth Games starting later this week, but both joined in congratulating Banyana Banyana on their achievement.

Ms Simelane is chef de mission for Team SA and sent out a message on their behalf. “This is a win not only for Banyana Banyana, but for the entire nation. We cheered loudly and proudly from Birmingham, so loud in fact that I’m sure they heard us in Morocco and South Africa as well!

“Banyana Banyana have made us all so proud. It was an emotional night. We know what a difference sport can make to our society and when our country wins on the big stage the whole country is uplifted. Congratulations to coach Desiree Ellis and her wonderful group of players and staff. This achievement will rightly be hailed as one of the most significant victories in our history. It also provides a huge boost for Team SA’s athletes as they prepare for their own Commonwealth Games journey,” Simelane said.

Hendricks said: “The timing of Banyana Banyana’s historic win couldn’t be better. They were magnificent in Morocco, going through the tournament unbeaten and then putting the cherry on the cake with their 2-1 win in the final. Only Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea have ever won the Women’s Afcon since it started in 1991. This is a huge moment for sport in South Africa.

“We are also confident that the success and history created will have a positive effect on the whole of Team SA here in Birmingham and inspire them to their greatest efforts at the Commonwealth Games,” he added.

The 2022 Commonwealth Games get underway in Birmingham on Thursday, 28 July and end on 8 August.

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