Banyana Banyana backed by Sasol after Nigeria win revives World Cup hopes

Banyana Banyana have restored national pride and revived their hopes of reaching the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup after beating Nigeria 2-1 in the continental play-offs.

The result secured South Africa a place in the World Cup Play-off Tournament, keeping alive their ambitions of qualifying for a third successive global finals. Banyana had initially missed out on direct qualification after failing to reach the semi-finals of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.

Their victory against long-standing rivals Nigeria has put them back on track, while also reigniting a rivalry that extends beyond football. The contest has become intertwined with familiar cultural debates, including Jollof Rice versus Pap and Afrobeats versus Amapiano.

The win also followed a similar achievement by Bafana Bafana, who denied the Super Eagles a place at the World Cup in North America. Both South African teams have consequently received widespread public support and affection.

That response has been welcomed by Sasol, Banyana Banyana’s primary sponsor, which says its focus is on creating positive change rather than seeking recognition for itself.

“We know that the role of football is about social cohesion,” Sasol brand and sponsorship manager Dean Somerset said after Banyana’s win over their continental rivals at their base in Casablanca.

“We also know the role of football within the context of youth. It’s no mistake that Banyana Banyana are certainly the darling of the South African nation. Yes, they maintain that status.”

South Africa’s failure to qualify directly had prompted significant criticism, but the squad’s ability to respond positively to that setback has earned praise. Somerset said the players had turned disappointment into motivation and benefited from strong backing across the country.

“Yes, there are pockets where the country was not happy about it, and they voiced them. But if you look at last night in typical South African style they rose to the occasion, and you had 16 million voices behind them, supporting them,” Somerset noted.

“The girls can feel it, and can see it. The level of happiness also translates to how the nation supports them. For us, it is about rallying the nation behind Banyana Banyana because we know what support means for these girls.”

Sasol has also sought to increase the team’s visibility and strengthen public appreciation of the players. The company arranged for media organisations, including IOL, to follow Banyana from the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals in Morocco through to the continental play-offs.

“It’s our role to try and reach every touchpoint that we have access to whether it’s media, social media or any tactics that we deploy to make sure the nation hears the level of appreciation of the team and vice versa,” Somerset said.

“We are very proud. When one looked at the publications this morning, South Africans made noise. They [the team] are very happy with the support, and with standing in good stead to still qualify for the next round of the World Cup qualifiers.”

The draw for the preliminary Play-off Tournament will take place at FIFA’s headquarters in Zurich on Thursday. South Africa’s route to the 2027 finals in Brazil remains demanding.

Banyana Banyana will represent Africa alongside Ghana later this year and face Uzbekistan, Chinese Taipei, Ecuador and Papua New Guinea for two places in the final round.

If they progress, they will return to competition in February next year, when they will meet two Concacaf teams, one UEFA side and Venezuela. Three World Cup qualification places will be available at that stage.

Sasol has promised to provide further support as South Africa attempt to navigate a qualification route they have not previously experienced and prove they are still “ntswembu namanje”.

“As the team’s sponsor, we are dependent on our dialogue and conversation with the association. Safa are the custodians of football in our country,” said Somerset on the next step heading into the mini-tournament.

“We have a partnership with Safa, and we’ll certainly go back to the drawing board after this tournament to get a view of the requirements of the team, understanding that Sasol has a responsibility there.

“What the requirements are at this moment, we are not sure. But we have a fair understanding based on previous participation at World Cups, Olympics and previous Wafcons.”

IOL Sport reporter Mihlali Baleka is covering the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco for IOL, courtesy of Banyana Banyana’s premier sponsor, Sasol.