The Revolution And Evolution Of Banyana
By Malose Wa Ga Lamola
Banyana Banyana celebrates Africa Women's Cup Of Nations victory after beating Morocco 2-1 in the final. Photo cred: Backpagepix
Read: We Are A Free Scoring Team
Not an easy portrait to sketch. The public had to adjust to the new world. They had to accommodate women's football into the usual men's sport. Monate remembers women of talent and ability who had to overcome the barrier of gender to achieve public recognition. Women's football was still rare like an oasis in the desert but this plough women of history has gone where angels, let alone powerful people, dared to tread. It was certainly an alien space even for the fans who turned out in their numbers to witness history unfolds before their eyes. Monate says, South Africans, cheerfully supported the team. The most delicious part of this tale is that Monate netted a goal in the fourteen-nil thumping of eSwatini, and she still gets goosebumps as she opens the eyes of her memory to have a clear vision of the past.
Banyana Banyana vice captain, Refiloe Jane, in action for Italian giants AC Milan against Sassoulo. Photo Cred: Gallo Images
Jumping ahead to the future. The invention of Hollywoodbets Super League is a bold measure of success by any standard. Sports betting franchise sponsored league gave meaning to progress. The country is now exporting more players abroad than one would have thought nearly three decades ago. Monate harboured doubts that women can one day compete in a more professional setup like their male counterparts. Under the dim and overcast, she would have possessed an unusual self-confidence. That could have been just a wishful thinking.
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Banyana deserved to receive for being so giving. On their sixth attempt to become African champions, Banyana Banyana, succeeded. Slaying Morocco 2-1 in the AWCON final match. The moment celebratory fireworks began to soar skyward, Banyana had made history, winning their first AWCON title. The sky was lit up by a veritable barrage of fireworks when the Confederation of African Football (CAF) authority handed over the continent's most precious accolade to South African captains. Monate says the weight of history that Banyana has scripted will inspire every girl child who aspires of putting on the green and gold of Banyana.
Related Piece: Banyana Had To Prove It Was No Fluke
@Lamola_Herold
Milpark Stadium remains a sacred space for South African women in football. Like an angel offering redemption to a sinner, in 1992, FIFA readmitted South Africa back into the international football fold. A year later Banyana Banyana was born. The real world finally intruded into South African women's football in the winter of 1993. A new era was opening. Banyana took on neighbours eSwatini, the then Swaziland.
The main architects of South African women's football history. Former Banyana Banyana star midfielder, Anna Monate, took ShakingInk down memory lane as she reminisces on the historic day when she took to the field donning national team colours. Though, the stakes were real, and high. Playing football was an art they were learning to master. Monate laid bare the incidents of the 30th of May 1993. “For my side, it was just normal because I used to play with boys at the time. I didn't see any nerves in the team. Everyone was excited. We were all buzzing because finally, we could play against other countries. It was more about individuals raising their hands. Putting a foot down so that you can get more call-ups from the national team coach. That fourteen-nil scoreline was a true reflection of the match. We walloped them fourteen because of how good we were. Remember, we did not have a permanent national team coach because it was the first time ever, we play an international match. We only had a part-time coach. That coach was Terry Paine.” Monate recalls.
The main architects of South African women's football history. Former Banyana Banyana star midfielder, Anna Monate, took ShakingInk down memory lane as she reminisces on the historic day when she took to the field donning national team colours. Though, the stakes were real, and high. Playing football was an art they were learning to master. Monate laid bare the incidents of the 30th of May 1993. “For my side, it was just normal because I used to play with boys at the time. I didn't see any nerves in the team. Everyone was excited. We were all buzzing because finally, we could play against other countries. It was more about individuals raising their hands. Putting a foot down so that you can get more call-ups from the national team coach. That fourteen-nil scoreline was a true reflection of the match. We walloped them fourteen because of how good we were. Remember, we did not have a permanent national team coach because it was the first time ever, we play an international match. We only had a part-time coach. That coach was Terry Paine.” Monate recalls.
Read: We Are A Free Scoring Team
Not an easy portrait to sketch. The public had to adjust to the new world. They had to accommodate women's football into the usual men's sport. Monate remembers women of talent and ability who had to overcome the barrier of gender to achieve public recognition. Women's football was still rare like an oasis in the desert but this plough women of history has gone where angels, let alone powerful people, dared to tread. It was certainly an alien space even for the fans who turned out in their numbers to witness history unfolds before their eyes. Monate says, South Africans, cheerfully supported the team. The most delicious part of this tale is that Monate netted a goal in the fourteen-nil thumping of eSwatini, and she still gets goosebumps as she opens the eyes of her memory to have a clear vision of the past.
Jumping ahead to the future. The invention of Hollywoodbets Super League is a bold measure of success by any standard. Sports betting franchise sponsored league gave meaning to progress. The country is now exporting more players abroad than one would have thought nearly three decades ago. Monate harboured doubts that women can one day compete in a more professional setup like their male counterparts. Under the dim and overcast, she would have possessed an unusual self-confidence. That could have been just a wishful thinking.
“I never thought of women playing in a more professional set-up. Actually, it never crossed my mind. I take everything as it comes. Remember, during those days, we could only play two or three times a year. Then from there, there would be no camp, nothing. We never thought of Hollywoodbets Super League. Until now, when Ria Ledwaba called us and asked ', how can we improve women's football and make it professional? We would go to Ria's office, every after two weeks, to have discussions on the way forward. One thing leads to another.” Said Monate.
Also Read: It Is More Than Just The Money
Banyana deserved to receive for being so giving. On their sixth attempt to become African champions, Banyana Banyana, succeeded. Slaying Morocco 2-1 in the AWCON final match. The moment celebratory fireworks began to soar skyward, Banyana had made history, winning their first AWCON title. The sky was lit up by a veritable barrage of fireworks when the Confederation of African Football (CAF) authority handed over the continent's most precious accolade to South African captains. Monate says the weight of history that Banyana has scripted will inspire every girl child who aspires of putting on the green and gold of Banyana.
“Yes, it gives hope to the upcoming generations. We paved the way for the current crop, and they inspire the next generations. There is life in women's football. Now, football can put you through education, especially as a woman. You can make money out of football. All you need is to remain humble and disciplined. Football opens countless opportunities. Media coverage also helps with exposure. South Africa is booming with talent.” Monate added.
Related Piece: Banyana Had To Prove It Was No Fluke
Banyana Banyana mentor, Desiree Ellis, and her technical team celebrate Banyana goal. Photo Cred: SAFA
From the vantage point of South African women in football and the ladies' support base, qualifying for two Fifa Women's World Cup finals on the trot, is a feat worth being celebrated. The first senior national team side to appear twice in a row at the global show-piece. Monate says coach Desiree Ellis charges have attained this through hard work and talent. They ought to be applauded. “Like I said before, South Africa is a very talented nation. We should have been qualifying for these World Cup tournaments for a long time. South Africa has never been too far behind in terms of football standard. Bad officiating and lack of sportsmanship, especially in Africa, have been hindering our progress and chances of qualifying for such major tournaments. Remember, during our days, only one African country could qualify for the FIFA World Cup. Doing it twice in a row is just a sign of how good we are as a nation. South Africa is superb when it comes to football, perfect.” Monate concluded triumphantly.
@Lamola_Herold
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