South Africa’s Banyana Banyana head coach Maud Khumalo expressed pride in her team’s performance and commitment despite a narrow defeat in the COSAFA Women’s Championship final against Zambia. The final match, held at Isaac Wolfson Stadium in Gqeberha on Saturday, ended in heartbreak for Banyana Banyana as they lost 4-3 in a tense penalty shootout to the Copper Queens.
Khumalo commended her players for their discipline and tactical execution throughout the tournament.
Reflecting on the team’s journey, she noted that the players had strictly followed the game plan, even under the intense pressure of a championship final.
In her post-match comments, Khumalo shared her gratitude for her team’s resilience and discipline on the field.
“Well, I feel like the girls stuck to the game plan,” Khumalo said, as reported by SABC Sports.
“For me, to play in a game of this magnitude, I feel like the girls were very tactically disciplined.
It’s just that with penalties, it’s anyone’s game.
Other than that, I just say congratulations to Zambia—they showed experience.
But this match showed us that we have a future in this team.”
Banyana Banyana entered the COSAFA final undefeated, having demonstrated consistent performances throughout the tournament.
They clinched three wins during the group stages and then played out a hard-fought draw against Mozambique in the semi-finals, advancing on penalties.
Their overall campaign highlighted the depth of talent in the squad and a growing cohesion among the players.
Khumalo credited her players for their determination, praising their ability to rise to the challenge against tough opponents.
She pointed to several key matches that tested the team’s resilience, including the semi-final against Mozambique and a high-stakes clash with Namibia, where Banyana displayed character and grit.
“The aim is to motivate the girls to reach the final, and it’s something that we did,” Khumalo said. “In finals, anything can happen, but I feel like the girls showed character.
They showed character in the game against Namibia and again against Mozambique, where they played against experienced players.”
The COSAFA Women’s Championship served as a valuable opportunity for Banyana Banyana to develop and refine their skills against high-level competition.
Khumalo sees the tournament as an essential building block in preparing the team for future challenges.
The intense matches and eventual close-fought final provided younger players with exposure to high-stakes games, essential for their growth and development.
While the narrow loss to Zambia was disappointing, Khumalo’s reflections emphasized the broader achievements of her squad.
She believes that the experience will serve as a catalyst for the team, building confidence and inspiring them to continue improving.
Her comments underlined a vision for the future, focusing on maintaining discipline, fostering teamwork, and building a resilient squad.
“This match showed us that we have a future in this team,” Khumalo noted.
There’s a lot we can take from this tournament, not just the final match.
The players have grown, and they’ve demonstrated they’re ready to face challenges with determination.
The experience from this competition will definitely be beneficial as we prepare for what lies ahead.”
Khumalo’s leadership has emphasized both short-term achievements and long-term aspirations for Banyana Banyana.
Under her guidance, the South African team has prioritized not only winning but also establishing a foundation of tactical discipline and teamwork.
Despite the loss, Khumalo’s positive outlook signals an optimistic path forward for the team.
For Banyana Banyana, the 2023 COSAFA Women’s Championship may be remembered not only for the near victory in the final but for the valuable lessons learned along the way.
The close contest against Zambia highlighted areas for growth while also affirming the strength and potential of the South African squad.
With this experience, Banyana Banyana will continue to build momentum, setting their sights on future tournaments and aiming to bring even greater success to South African women’s football.
