Sasol Banyana Banyana captain Sibulele Holweni believes they have the right mindset to lift the
2025 COSAFA Women’s Championship trophy.
The South Africans face a hungry Namibia in a repeat of the 2006 final of the same competition which was won by South Africa. The two nations meet on Sunday at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane and kickoff is at 15h00. With most of the senior and experienced players not used in the tournament, Holweni is leading a team of mainly young players who represent the future of Banyana Banyana.
“I would like to say it’s a really an honour to represent my country and also to be given a chance to lead the team, but we always believe that each and every player is a leader, so it’s not only my responsibility to help with things that need to be done, everyone has their roles and everyone is a leader in our team. We have a goal that we want to achieve as a team, so I believe we have the mindset to achieve whatever we want to achieve,” said a confident Holweni.
South Africa will be playing their fifth game of the tournament and are yet to lose. They defeated Malawi, Angola, Zimbabwe and drew with Lesotho on their way to the final. But they will not take Namibia lightly.
“We’re taking it step by step throughout the tournament and like the coach said, it will be a case of who wants it more. This is a new group, new young players and they are incredibly amazing, so I believe that they want to win it,” added Holweni.
The midfielder has applauded the senior players in the squad who have been supporting from the stands in every match.
“It’s incredible and also it’s amazing that you get to witness your teammates cheering you and it also brings out the best out of you because sometimes during the game you try something and it doesn’t work out but then if you hear someone cheering you on , and you start believing,” said Holweni.
With a record seven wins, South Africa hasn’t won this tournament since 2020.
The final will be preceded by the bronze battle between former defending champions Zambia taking on Zimbabwe at midday at the same venue.
