Basadi in Action Sports

Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies defender Karabo Dhlamini is on the brink of a major milestone as she prepares to earn her 50th international cap for Banyana Banyana when South Africa faces Algeria in their second international friendly in Durban. Karabo Dhlamini  © Gallo Images The highly anticipated clash will take place on Friday, 17 April at the King Zwelithini Stadium, following a narrow 1-0 victory for South Africa in the first encounter on Tuesday at Princess Magogo Stadium. Sundowns forward Nthabiseng Majiya netted the decisive goal in the 35th minute to give Banyana the advantage heading into the second fixture. Dhlamini, who has grown into one of the team’s key players, reflected on her journey in an interview with sponsor Sasol: “For me this is an honour... not everyone gets a chance like this. I am proud of myself... the senior players and coaches made it easy for me.” She highlighted her memorable moments, including the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup experience, winning WAFCON, a...

Banyana Banyana will take a crucial step in their preparations for the upcoming Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco when they face Algeria in an international friendly at Princess Magogo Stadium in Durban on Tuesday, 14 April 2026, with kick-off scheduled for 15h00. Desiree Ellis  © BackpagePix The postponement of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) has reshaped Banyana Banyana’s preparations, with head coach Desiree Ellis now viewing the delay as a timely opportunity rather than a setback. Originally scheduled for March 17 to April 3, the tournament was pushed to July 25 to August 16, a decision that initially disrupted plans but has since provided valuable breathing room for the squad. “The disappointment was there of course, we were busy preparing, but in hindsight I think it’s also a blessing in disguise,” Ellis admitted, pointing to the uneven readiness within her squad at the time. With the domestic league yet to kick off, players were at varying sta...

University of the Western Cape (UWC) defender Shakira O’Malley has been named in the Banyana Banyana squad for the upcoming international friendlies against Algeria (7–18 April), as the technical team continues to assess depth and consistency within the backline. Shakira O’Malley © BackpagePix The 23-year-old defender, who was part of the squad at the recent COSAFA Women’s Championship in Polokwane, retains her place in the national setup, taking her senior cap tally to eight. Her continued inclusion points to growing trust from the coaching staff as preparations build toward upcoming continental competitions. O’Malley’s pathway to the senior national team has been gradual but structured. Hailing from Ocean View in Cape Town, she developed through local structures at Ocean View FC before progressing to Spurs WFC, where she gained exposure in a more competitive environment. Her development was further strengthened during her time in the United States, where she featured for the Univ...