Vera Pauw, a prominent figure in football, has been appointed as the head coach of the South African women’s football team, known as Banyana Banyana, by the South African Football Association. With previous coaching experiences in Scotland, the Netherlands, and Russia, Pauw brings a wealth of expertise to her new role.
At 51 years old, Pauw’s primary objective will be to guide the team to qualification for the African Women’s Cup of Nations, scheduled to be held in Namibia in October. South Africa has achieved notable success in the tournament, clinching bronze medals in 2006 and 2010, and reaching the final in 2012.
Born on January 18, 1963, in Amsterdam, Vera Pauw boasts an illustrious football career both as a player and a coach. She was the first Dutch footballer to play abroad when she joined Italy’s CF Modena in 1988. Pauw earned 89 caps for the Netherlands national team from 1983 to 1998 and has been actively involved in women’s football development within the Royal Netherlands Football Federation (KNVB).
Pauw’s appointment marks a significant step forward for women’s football in South Africa, with expectations high for her leadership to propel Banyana Banyana to further success on the international stage.
