The Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2025 is being commenced in the North African nation of Morocco. In a test of strategy and strength Ghana’s Black Queens Head Coach Kim Lars Björkegren is set to train his team to go up against South Africa’s Banyana Banyana (the Girls) in the Moroccan city of Oudja. Ghana a powerhouse of West Africa in the world of football, will verse the defending champions in Group C opener (South Africa). This is guaranteed to be an exhilarating match as both teams will be aiming for maximum points. The highly anticipated game will be crucial for both teams’ campaigns at the tournament. However, both teams will approach the match with all seriousness. Seeking victory will not be easy as they can only be one winner.
Kim Lars, a seasoned coach with nearly two decades of experience took over the Black Queens job early 2025 following the departure of Nora Hauptle at the expiration of his contract. However, the Swedish tactician faces a daunting task as they take on the Banyana Banyana in a much-anticipated clash this afternoon. Kim Lars and his charges will be hoping for a positive start to the tournament being held in the North African country. Meanwhile, Ghana will have to dig deep to overcome the South African, who has become a force to be reckon under the leadership of coach Desiree Ellis. The Black Queens are aiming to make a statement in the tournament and progress from the group stage for the first time since 2016. Ghana are yet to win the WAFCON trophy despite being at multiple editions of the continental showpiece.
After the South Africa showdown, the Black Queens will lock horns with Mali and Tanzania to determine who qualify to the last quarterfinals of the tournament.
Both Banyana Banyana and the Black Queens are formidable national teams that represent the best of their respective nations in the soccer fields. This match between Ghana and SA will be a test of determination and talent. Skill too will play its part. The women who make up the complimentary teams are formidable athletes and champions in their own right. The Black Queens have their eyes on taking the WAFCON trophy home to Accra. Banyan Banyana will have similar ambitions (again). This is going to be an intense and addictive battle. The Black Queens and Banyana Banyana will be locked in a duel of wits and adrenalin drawing in thousands of spectators from across Africa. Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis had best be prepared for a gruelling and possibly even prolonged match. Ellis should have put Banyana Banayna through their defences, paces and offence.
This year’s WAFCON will prove to be a summer salt of excitement and intensity depending on which team will be tougher South Africa or Ghana.
Closer to home the Betway Premiership is on the roll, with the PSL Transfer window set for July the first till the twenty second of September. Orlando Pirates have succeeded in making the largest movements so far, signing Sipho Mbule from Mamelodi Sundowns among several other players.
Sundowns, who have recently concluded their FIFA Club World Cup campaign, opted not to shake things up too much ahead of the tournament, but are usually the biggest movers in the transfer window. Activity at Chloorkop in the near future is to be expected in head coach Miguel Cardoso’s first off-season. Sipho Mbule has been the signing that has dominated headlines in the off-season to date. Mbule was on the books of Mamelodi Sundowns for three years after his 2022 move from rivals SuperSport United. However, he was loaned to Sekhukhune United in September 2024. For several years, his off-field behaviour has been subject to media criticism. However, he is widely regarded as one of the most talented midfielders in South Africa.
Aged 27, he is a high-risk signing for Orlando Pirates – runners-up to Sundowns in the last three Premiership campaigns. However, if he plays to his potential, he will be worth the reward.
Once again team members are being purchased off depending on their talent and skill. This happens when athletes outgrow the soccer clubs, they have been playing their lives for and move on to greener pastures. This is especially true of players such as Sipho Mbule and Miguel Cardosa. They look for better opportunities when their contracts with their current clubs expire, and go further afield. This mainly concerns the money involved. Midfielders like Mbule and Cordosa are nerve systems of soccer team. They switch between attack and defence positions like the flick of a switch, their involvement in a game’s critical movement is no understatement. Of course, behaviour off-field is also closely watched by the media. This plays a huge role in their actions on the pitch.
Players like Mbule need to rethink their lifestyles if they want to further their sportsman careers. That said if professional players like Mbule focus their energy on the game they could make history on the field. It all depends on how they utilize their talent.
Article written by:
Yacoob Cassim
Journalist at Radio Al Ansaar
