Banyana quartet on the verge of huge milestones during WAFCON 2026

25 July 2026 – Sasol Banyana Banyana will be among 16 nations vying for the title of continental championship in the upcoming CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON 2026) kicking off on Sunday in Morocco.

Not only is the gold medal on the line for all the countries, but there is also a brewing battle for the top four spots which will guarantee passage to the even more prestigious FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil next year. For South Africa, there will be an added sense of pride and achievement for four players who are likely to reach huge milestones during the tournament.

Midfield sensation Linda Motlhalo is sitting on 99 appearances for South Africa, and just one cap away from joining an elite group of 12 Banyana Banyana players who have already clocked a century of caps and more in national team colours. “It’s such an honour that I know I’m going to be on 100 caps soon, an amazing feeling and it’s that thing of me remembering my first cap when coach Vera (Pauw) gave me the opportunity at the age of 17. Now you’re on number 100, it’s such an honour. It’s been a long journey, a lot of ups and downs, but it has been a beautiful one,” said a beaming Motlhalo.

The Scotland-based penalty specialist scored on debut against Cameroon in March 2016. “But let me take it back to 2015, before 2016. I was with Banyana Banyana at the age of 16 actually and training with the likes of many of the players that I looked up to. I was very patient and I think also coach Vera was very patient with me, and she made me understand that now it’s not the time for me to be able to play with the senior players, I was a training player,” added Motlhalo.

“So, when 2016 happened, when I got my first cap against Cameroon, I didn’t even struggle because I remembered all the training sessions that I did back in 2015. That’s when I understood that coach Vera knew when I was ready.”

The Rietvlei, Randfontein-born player spent her early development years at the High-Performance Centre (HPC) in Pretoria. Motlhalo graduated from the U17 team and went on to captain the U20 squad. She has since moved to the senior team and made appearances in the 2016 Rio Olympic Games as well as two senior FIFA World Cup tournaments, 2019 in France and 2023 in Australia and New Zealand.

She also won the WAFCON in 2022 and is targeting another gold in 2026. But first she must first navigate past Tanzania, Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso in Group B.

“Every team that plays against us they go for 120%, but I think we are ready for any team that we’re going to face. The first game is the most important one because it sets the tone to the tournament. The energy in camp is really good and obviously the main focus is the World Cup, but the biggest thing is we’re going for gold regardless of what happens,” said Motlhalo.

BANYANA BANYANA 100+ CAPS:

1. Janine van Wyk (retired)                      185 caps             12 goals
2. Noko Matlou (retired)                          174                       66
3. Nompumelelo Nyandeni (retired)    150                       39
4. Refiloe Jane                                           150                       17
5. Nothando Vilakazi                                 137                        7
6. Portia Modise (retired)                         124                       101
7. Mamello Makhabane                             121                       22
8. Lebohang Ramalepe                              120                       5
9. Jermaine Seoposenwe (retired)        112                       25
10. Amanda Dlamini (retired)                    105                       24
11. Bambanani Mbane                                 103                       5
12. Leandra Smeda                                      100                       22

Likely to join Motlhalo in reaching these momentous milestones are Gabriela Salgado-Moodaly, who has played 48 games and just two away from the magical 50. The winger made headlines last year when she got injured in this tournament in the semi-final clash against Nigeria and was out of the game for a long period.

Also on the verge of glory is goal poacher Hildah Magaia, who was instrumental in Banyana Banyana’s success in the 2022 WAFCON-winning squad where she scored two goals in the final against Morocco to help her team lift their maiden continental trophy.

Known as the Breadwinner, Magaia is sitting on 47 caps.

Defender-cum-midfielder Bongeka Gamede has made 44 appearances and is just six shy of half a century.

BANYANA BANYANA 50+ CAPS:

1. Linda Motlhalo                      99 caps            25 goals
2. Thembi Kgatlana                 88                    33
3. Andile Dlamini (GK)             86                    0
4. Sanah Mollo                          73                    21
5. Noxolo Cesane                     60                   6
6. Kaylin Swart (GK)                54                    0
7. Kholosa Biyana                     53                    2
8. Karabo Dhlamini                  52                    1

POSSIBLE MILESTONES:

1. Gabriela Moodaly-Salgado  48                   8
2. Hildah Magaia                      47                   23
3. Bongeka Gamede                44                   1

Source: Original report at SAFA.