Banyana Banyana beat Zambia to win Three-Nations series

Photo: South African Football Association/Facebook

The South Africa women's national team (Banyana Banyana) won the Three-Nations series title on home soil after beating Zambia’s Copper Queens 2-0 on Tuesday.

Defender Bongeka Gamede and forward Jermaine Seoposenwe’s second-half strikes handed the hosts’ coach Desiree Ellis the victory at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville, Pretoria.

The game closed the curtain on a the series that also involved Botswana, as all the teams geared up for the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) finals. The meeting between the WAFCON defending champions and the 2022 WAFCON bronze medalists did not produce goals in the first half, only to come to life in the second period.

Banyana Banyana went ahead when Gamede fired the ball into the net from a wonderfully taken free-kick in the 74th minute. Eight minutes later, a defensive lapse saw Seoposenwe make the most of it to extend Banyana Banyana's lead from close range.

Zambia had started the second half with a minor setback after Lushomo Mweemba picked up an injury, forcing coach Nora Häuptle to introduce Pauline Zulu. The Copper Queens tried to explore attacking options, the coach withdrawing Rachel Nachula and introducing Fridah Mukoma.

Another substitution saw Prisca Chilufya and Mary Wilombe replace Barbra Banda and Evarine Susan Katongo, respectively, but such changes did not bear dividends. The third loss in six games, also comprising two wins and one draw, should start building the pressure on Häuptle, who replaced Bruce Mwape months ago.

The Copper Queens had started the tour of South Africa with a one-all draw against Botswana on Saturday. The South Africans won 3-2 their game against the Mares.

In the end, it was the hosts who dominated the invitational tournament involving the Southern African giants preparing for the WAFCON finals scheduled for Morocco from 5 to 26 July.