[imagesource: Twitter / @Banyana_Banyana]

All hail Banyana Banyana, the champions of Africa for the very first time.

On Saturday night, our ladies won the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) title in Morocco with a 2-1 win over the hosts in the final at the Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah in Rabat.

Hildah Makgaia scored twice, in the 63rd and 71st minutes, before an 80th-minute strike by Morocco’s Rosella Ayane led to a nerve-wracking final 10 minutes.

There was then a further nine minutes of dubious time added on but still, our women stood firm.

The final whistle sparked scenes of wild celebration among players and staff, with coach Desiree Ellis particularly emotional.

Before we get to the joy, dancing, and singing, let’s have a quick look at the highlights:

: 1-2

A historic night for #TeamSouthAfrica who beat the hosts to claim their first ever #TotalEnergiesWAFCON title #TotalEnergiesWAFCON2022 | #EmpoweringOurGame | @Football2Gether pic.twitter.com/6WJelCCl5v

— #TotalEnergiesWAFCON2022 (@CAFwomen) July 24, 2022

Ellis, named Africa’s Coach of the Year in the women’s football category for the third time on Thursday night, dropped to the turf the moment the title was secured:

2000:
2008:
2012:
2018:
2022:

South Africa, it’s finally coming home. #TotalEnergiesWAFCON2022 | #EmpoweringOurGame | @Banyana_Banyana pic.twitter.com/2Pw9jsiIqc

— #TotalEnergiesWAFCON2022 (@CAFwomen) July 24, 2022

So did many of the players, overcome by emotion:

Step on the pitch with #TeamSouthAfrica the moment the full-time whistle announced them African champions! #TotalEnergiesWAFCON2022 | #EmpoweringOurGame | @Banyana_Banyana pic.twitter.com/d5GyKakg6B

— #TotalEnergiesWAFCON2022 (@CAFwomen) July 24, 2022

Each player will be awarded a R400 000 bonus for the win. It’s no wonder the dance moves were out in full force.

Wait for it, wait for it – that’s some quality lipstick application:

Tonight we celebrate

CHAMPIONS !!!#TotalEnergiesWAFCON2022 pic.twitter.com/7WV0i9p6gF

— Banyana_Banyana (@Banyana_Banyana) July 23, 2022

Linda Motlhalo & Amogelang Motau enjoying themselves after a historical night! #TotalEnergiesWAFCON2022 | #EmpoweringOurGame | @Banyana_Banyana pic.twitter.com/H07umq3AiD

— #TotalEnergiesWAFCON2022 (@CAFwomen) July 23, 2022

Back in the changing room, festivities continued:

They’ll dance all night long! 👯#TotalEnergiesWAFCON2022 | #EmpoweringOurGame | @Banyana_Banyana pic.twitter.com/YVoQgQLuQ6

— #TotalEnergiesWAFCON2022 (@CAFwomen) July 24, 2022

The best coach in Africa showing off her gold medal! 🏅#TotalEnergiesWAFCON2022 | #EmpoweringOurGame | @descaptain pic.twitter.com/d3yEVHNwMO

— #TotalEnergiesWAFCON2022 (@CAFwomen) July 24, 2022

The team arrives home at OR Tambo International Airport tomorrow (Tuesday) and I imagine there will be a welcome party laid on.

Ellis told Sport24 the players can’t wait to share the win with the country:

“I can only imagine what will happen when we come home, but the players deserve it because they were amazing,” Ellis said. “I said to them that their job is done, even though not all the messages reached them. Each and everyone one of them was special.

“They fought hard, they put their bodies on the line and Hildah could have had a hat-trick, but wow, it has been incredible.

“We’re the champions of Africa.”

The team’s success has seen the disparity in both pay and treatment between Banyana Banyana and their male counterparts once more come to the fore.

The Sowetan reports that, according to South African Football Players Union president Thulaganyo Gaoshubelwe, the women’s team has been flying economy class following call-ups while Bafana players receive business class tickets.

The R400 000 per player bonus has also been criticised:

This has caused an outcry, with supporters drawing parallels between what Bafana Bafana players got paid in 2019 for reaching the quarterfinals. Bafana players each received R520,000. At the time, Safa had promised each Bafana player R920,000 should they bring the cup home.

Banyana have also qualified for the Fifa Women’s World Cup 2023 and Safa is yet to announce how much the ladies would earn in that competition…

Perhaps this win will prove to be the decisive factor in ensuring Banyana Banyana are treated with the respect they deserve.

Champions of Africa has a really nice ring to it.

[sources:sport24&sowetan]