Ramalepe rejects claims Banyana Banyana have lost their hunger after Wafcon exit

South Africa defender Lebogang Ramalepe has rejected suggestions that Banyana Banyana no longer have the desire to succeed after their disappointing Women’s Africa Cup of Nations campaign.

South Africa’s hopes of defending their continental title ended on Saturday when they were beaten 2-1 by hosts Morocco in the quarter-finals at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat. Morocco’s victory also secured their qualification for the World Cup.

Banyana Banyana must now beat either Malawi or Ghana in Casablanca on Thursday to remain in contention for next year’s global tournament in Brazil. The match will determine one of the two CAF places available in the intercontinental play-offs.

The result has increased scrutiny on a South Africa squad containing 16 players who were part of the team that won the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco for the first time in 2022.

Most of those players also featured in the side that reached the knockout stages of the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand in 2023, the first time Banyana Banyana had advanced beyond the group phase at that competition.

Those achievements have led to suggestions that the established members of the squad may have lost some of their motivation. Some have also called for the team to be reshaped if South Africa are to return to their previous level of success.

Ramalepe, one of the longest-serving players in the group, dismissed that assessment. The 34-year-old instead pointed to the improvement of women’s football across Africa, arguing that South Africa are now facing stronger competition from more teams.

“It’s not like we are not hungry. Football has changed; a lot of teams have improved. I think there are a lot of teams that are matching our level, and others have surpassed us,” Ramalepe said.

Banyana Banyana’s campaign had been uncertain from the start. They opened the tournament with a surprise 2-1 defeat by Tanzania, before drawing 2-2 with Ivory Coast in their second group match.

Their only victory in the three group games came against Burkina Faso, whom they beat 1-0 in their final pool encounter. That was enough to take them through to the quarter-finals, but they were unable to overcome Morocco in Rabat.

Despite the elimination, Ramalepe believes South Africa can still reach the World Cup through the intercontinental play-offs. She said the squad must respond to the setback with greater composure and resilience.

“What is required now is mental toughness. Not all is lost; we still have a chance, so we believe we can still go to the World Cup.”