Banyana Banyana beat Malawi 2-0 in COSAFA Cup

Banyana Banyana and Malawi players seen during a game at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane.

Banyana Banyana have kicked off their 2026 COSAFA Women’s Championship Cup campaign on a winning note at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium Polokwane, Limpopo.

After a tight first half, the hosts broke the resistance of Malawi’s Scorchers in the second half. Sibulele Holweni opened the scoring, before Bonolo Mokoma sealed the 2-nil victory in the 90th minute.

Banyana Banyana head coach, Desiree Ellis says perseverance was the key to victory.

“I think in the first half, we struggled a little bit to find each other, but it’s a new group of players that we’re working with. So, we’re working on a few things and sometimes it doesn’t come right, but I think the perseverance that they showed, the determination that they showed, they never really gave any opportunities, but we created a few. I think the first goal was crucial, because it helped us to settle down. I think we also handled their long ball very well. They didn’t really, really get behind us. And I’m going to take my hat off to the players, you know, started two things not so long ago, to just pick up a performance like this and get the result in very, very hot weather that we’re not used to. I think I commend the players and the coaching staff.”

And this is how it ends at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, Sasol Banyana Banyana getting off to a good start in the COSAFA Women’s Championship 2025 with a 2-0 win@SasolinSport #LiveTheImpossible pic.twitter.com/vF5mbqpSki

— Sasol Banyana Banyana (@Banyana_Banyana) February 18, 2026