Basadi in Action Sports

Aland United and Banyana Banyana star midfielder Jessica Wade is eager to put her injury disappointment behind her and return to the field stronger than ever. Jessica Wade The Johannesburg-born star missed the Women's Africa Cup of Nations 2026 (WAFCON) after going under the knife to operate on her niggling Achilles tendon. The 23-year-old former JVW Girls Football Club midfield anchor briefs this publication that her rehabilitation process demanded a lot from her, both physically and emotionally, as she gears up to return to competitive football.  The former Bantwana skipper reflects on her rehabilitation process, saying: "The rehabilitation process has definitely been one of the most challenging periods of my career, both physically and mentally. It has required a lot of patience because there have been a lot of setbacks, but I’ve also learnt a lot about my body and about myself throughout the process.  Physically, I’m continuing to work towards getting back to my best, and ...

Football analyst and founder of the Pitch Women's Football site, Ole Fulutudilu, has been criticized for not being patriotic in her analysis of Banyana Banyana matches in the Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) tournament currently underway in Morocco.  Ole Fulutudilu The former Banyana Banyana attacker was at the end of the stick after highlighting the threat posed by the Lady Elephants ahead of the Group B tie between South Africa and Côte d'Ivoire. Having played against some players in France, Fulutudilo warned South Africa about the dangers of underestimating the West African nation's attack. Though many felt the Malaga-based football pundit was unpatriotic, she insisted that her analyses were based on her experiences against some players in the Lady Elephants squad.  Fulutudilo says patriotism isn't about cheerleading "True patriotism isn't blind cheerleading. It’s about demanding excellence and speaking the truth because you care deeply about the t...

For Katlego Moletsane, earning a place in Banyana Banyana’s main squad for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations represents the latest chapter in a journey defined by patience, consistency and determination. Katlego Moletsane The 30-year-old goalkeeper, born in Mafikeng, has been part of the national-team setup since 2012. Having previously travelled as a standby player for the 2012 and 2022 WAFCON campaigns, Moletsane is now ready to seize her opportunity on the continental stage.  Her club career has taken her from Bloemfontein Celtic Ladies and Royal AM Women to the University of the Western Cape Ladies, where her performances have continued to underline her quality. During the 2025/26 campaign, she recorded 13 clean sheets in 24 appearances, conceding just 15 goals. A former outfield player, Moletsane discovered her passion for goalkeeping after watching Real Madrid legend Iker Casillas. Her development has since earned her the Hollywoodbets Goalkeeper of the Season award for ...

 At just 22, Nthabiseng Ronisha Majiya has already built a reputation as one of South Africa’s most exciting attacking talents. The Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies forward, affectionately known as “Neymar”, wears jersey No. 23 for Banyana Banyana at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. Nthabiseng Majiya Born in Philippolis, Majiya announced herself in the Hollywoodbets Super League with Richmond United Ladies in 2021, scoring 20 goals in her debut season and earning the Young Player of the Season award. She retained the accolade in 2022 after another impressive campaign. Her performances earned a move to reigning champions Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies in February 2024, where she scored on debut and continued to develop into a dangerous forward.  Majiya also has major tournament experience, having been part of Banyana Banyana’s historic 2022 WAFCON-winning squad and scoring the decisive goal against Botswana. With pace, clinical finishing and fearless movement, Majiya posses...

Banyana Banyana began their Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) on the wrong foot with a shocking 2-1 defeat in their Group B opener against Tanzania. The Sformer African champions managed to secure a point in a 2-2 draw against a highly motivated Côte d'Ivoire in the second Group B fixture on Friday night before narrowly clinching 1-0 in their must win fixture against Burkina Faso on Tuesday. Veronica Phewa Former South African international Veronica Phewa weighed in on the performance of the team and said the girls didn't perform to the nation's expectations. The former Indiana FC left winger says losing for the first time to Tanzania in a tournament of this magnitude added salt to the wound.  The Soweto-born star says that performance did not inspire confidence. “They didn't play well. I would rather not say much. But that was not a performance that could get us results. Losing to Tanzania for the first time ever in the WAFCON is one thing, but losing playing ...

Fikile Venessa Magama is a South African female player born in Gugulethu, Cape Town, South Africa. She wears the Number 5 jersey for Banyana Banyana at the 2026 CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco. Magama brings composure, intelligence, and defensive resilience to South Africa's backline. Fikile Magama Born on 19 January 2002, the 24-year-old defender currently plays for UWC Ladies in the Hollywoodbets Super League. Standing at 1.55m, Magama has built a reputation as a fearless and technically gifted defender whose game is defined by excellent positioning, anticipation, and calmness under pressure rather than physical stature. Magama's football journey began at the age of seven, inspired and supported by her grandmother. She developed her skills at Cape Town Roses before moving to Dangerous Heroes in Philippi and later featuring for Phuhla FC, a boys' team, where she further sharpened her competitive edge. Her talent earned her a place at the Universit...

Banyana Bayana will look to respond positively when they take on Côte d’lvoire in their second Group B match at the 2026 TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations on Friday, 31 July. South Africa head into the encounter under pressure after suffering 2-1 defeat to Tanzania in their tournament opener, while Côte d’lvoire arrive full of confidence following a convincing 4-1 victory over Burkina Faso. South Africa With three points separating the two sides, the match presents a crucial opportunity for Banyana Banyana to get their campaign back on track and keep their hopes of progressing to the knockout stages alive. Young midfielder Isabella Ludwig believes the focus must now shift to correcting the mistakes made in the opening match. “Obviously, it wasn’t the result we wanted. Going into the next game, we need to improve on the mistakes we made, correct those areas and hopefully get the result we need. There is definitely pressure after the opening result, but it’s important that ...

The road to the CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations has not been straightforward for Ronnel Donnelly, but few players arrive in Morocco with a story that better embodies resilience, determination and perseverance. Ronnel Donnelly After spending most of the 2025 season on the sidelines through injury, the Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies forward has fought her way back into contention at just the right time. Two appearances were all she needed to remind everyone of her quality before earning a place in Banyana Banyana's travelling squad for WAFCON, where she wears the number 17 jersey. Her final audition came in the Hollywoodbets Super League against TS Galaxy Queens. Introduced from the bench, Donnelly marked her return in trademark fashion by scoring in Sundowns' 2-0 victory—a timely reminder of the clinical finishing that has made her one of South Africa's brightest attacking prospects. For Donnelly, the Hollywoodbets Super League once again proved to be the perfect platform to...

At just 18 years old, Zoe October has become the youngest player in South Africa's squad for the 2026 CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), marking another milestone in what is shaping up to be a remarkable rise through the ranks of South African women's football. Zoe October  The University of the Western Cape (UWC) attacking midfielder heads to Morocco as part of the Banyana Banyana travelling squad, highlighting not only her immense talent but also the growing impact of the Hollywoodbets Super League in developing the country's next generation of stars. For October, the call-up is the reward for years of dedication and steady progression through the national team pathway. Having already represented South Africa at youth level, she now finds herself sharing a dressing room with some of the country's most accomplished footballers as Banyana Banyana defend their continental crown and chase qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup. A Bright Future ...

Banyana Banyana suffered a 2-1 defeat to Tanzania in their opening Group B fixture of the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) Morocco 2026 in Casablanca on Monday evening. South Africa South Africa dominated possession from the outset, patiently building from the back and dictating the tempo of the game. Thembi Kgatlana forced an early save in the 5th minute, before Noxolo Cesane tested the Tanzanian defence a minute later with a deflected effort that earned Banyana a corner.  Tanzania threatened on the counter, but Andile Dlamini produced a comfortable save, while Hilda Magaia fired over the crossbar from a promising position in the 17th minute. Lebohang Ramalepe also tried her luck in the 33rd minute, but her effort lacked power and was comfortably gathered by goal keeper Naijat Abass. The deadlock was broken in the 37th minute when Diana Msewa found the back of the net to hand Tanzania the lead. Banyana continued to press and were rewarded in first-half stop...