Motau: We Are A Team In Transition

Banyana Banyana co-captain Amogelang Motau believes the team’s performance at the recent CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) 2024 clearly indicates a squad in transition.

Coach Desiree Ellis’s side secured a fourth-place finish after a hard-fought bronze medal match against Ghana at Larbi Zaouli Stadium on Friday, July 25, 2025. The game ended 1-1 in regulation time, with Ghana ultimately winning 4-3 on penalties.

The South African senior women’s national team missed out on a spot in the final after a 2-1 loss to Nigeria. This match was particularly costly, as Gabriela Salgado suffered an injury that will sideline her for the rest of the year. With the composition of the team having changed significantly since their maiden WAFCON trophy win in 2022, Motau emphasizes the need for younger players to step up.

“Being in camp and experiencing what has been going on, the girls did try to bounce back from it (injury), and we’ve been talking about it and saying that we needed to do it for her (Gabriela Salgado) and for Jermaine (Seoposenwe). But I think the way this tournament has gone is testament to where the team is. Again, we’re going through a transition, there are players who are retiring like Jermaine, and again, there are people who need to step up and take the positions of the players that have stepped up for this team for such a long time,” said Motau.

“But we must also remember that even the team who won it in 2022 were together for such a long time and I think with the players that are upcoming, we’re going to need time. I know that time is something we don’t have at the national team, but we’re going to need time to play together. I think that right now, the tournament went the way it went but again, we have an opportunity in March to show up. I think this tournament also showed us where we are and where the other teams are. This gives us time to prepare for the main ones so that we can qualify for the World Cup.”

The midfielder has called for patience while the new players are trying to find their feet.

“I’ll go back to the fact that it’s a transition, so you need time for different combinations so that we can establish the chemistry of the players that were able to qualify for the World Cup and play in the World Cup. These are the players that have been playing together for more than six years, and we are talking about the likes of Fifi (Refiloe Jane) and Linda (Motlhalo).

“When I came into the midfield I almost felt like I was so lost because the two of them had so much chemistry, but with time I’m also getting there. I think with the group of players that are here, we have shown that they have potential and they’re willing to get there. So, for me it’s just more games together and more camps together and I think things will come together, we just need to be patient,” added Motau.

Banyana Banyana departed Morocco on Sunday afternoon and are expected back home tonight, Monday.