Banyana Banyana are determined to return to the Olympic Games after missing out on the last two editions. They face Madagascar in the second round of the 2028 CAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament, with the first leg on Friday and the return leg in Bloemfontein on Tuesday.
The road to Los Angeles is a long one, with the final two African Olympic places only to be decided in the fifth and final qualifying round in November and December 2027.
Banyana Banyana were seeded directly into the second round of the competition while Madagascar reached this stage after beating South Sudan 2-1 on aggregate in the opening round.
Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis says getting back to the Olympics is important, not only for the current squad but also for the younger players who can gain valuable experience on the global stage.
“We have not qualified for the last two Olympics. We were knocked out in the first round in 2019, reached the final round against Nigeria, you know, and lost narrowly. It is really important that we start getting to the Olympics. We qualified back-to-back in the past and then did not qualify for two, you know? It is important to qualify for these global events because the younger players who come in will also gain a lot of experience through that. So, it is really important that we get off to a good start on Friday to make sure that we get to the next round.”
The opening first game on Friday is Madagascar – the designated home game, however, because Madagascar does not have an internationally recognized stadium suitable for the fixture.
The match will be played in Bloemfontein.
Banyana Banyana player, Isabella Ludwig is postive of the results in the opening match and says this could give the technical team more options ahead of Tuesday’s second leg.
“I think it is very important. Obviously, it is great to get a good result because it allows the coaches to rotate the team and try new tactics. So, I think it is very important. I mean, the goal has been set. That is what we need to do. There is no other option. So, I think the goal and the mindset are clear: we need to qualify for the Olympics.”
Friday’s first leg will be played behind closed doors, meaning supporters will not be allowed inside the stadium. Despite the unusual circumstances surrounding the first leg, Ellis says Banyana Banyana will not underestimate Madagascar, and the FIFA rankings will have no bearing on what happens on the field.
“We are a team that never underestimates any opponent. The rankings do not mean anything. It is 11 versus 11, and if you do not take the game seriously, before you know it, you are chasing the game. So, we will take the game really seriously. We have never, ever underestimated an opponent. We played them twice before, in 2018 and 2019. We know that we can beat them, but that means nothing.”
Banyana Banyana will return to Toyota Stadium on Tuesday, where supporters will be able to attend the second leg and get behind the team. The third round is scheduled for February and March 2027, followed by a fourth round in October.
The decisive fifth round will take place from 23 November to 4 December 2027, when the two winners will secure Africa’s places at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
