Hilton-Smith urges Banyana to defend WAFCON title: No one remembers the runner-up

Fran Hilton-Smith agrees with Ricky Whittle that “no one remembers the runner-up” and says Banyana Banyana must bring the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) trophy back home from Morocco.

South Africa’s senior women’s national team begin the defence of their title with a clash against Ghana on Monday evening (kick-off 6pm) in Rabat, and Hilton-Smith – a pioneer and legend of the women’s game not only in this country but across the continent – insists second best is not going to be good enough.

“We want to win it and we have to win it,” she said of the 16-nation, biennial continental competition, which kicked off at the weekend with hosts Morocco drawing 2-2 with Zambia.

“But it is probably going to be the toughest (tournament) yet because, take Morocco for instance – they are going to go all out as the hosts again, having come close last time around (the Atlas Lionesses were beaten finalists in 2022). Nigeria have won it nine times and are looking for a tenth title.”

Even so, Hilton-Smith believes Banyana are good enough to hold on to their crown.

“Not winning is not going to be great. That’s why all of us – the country, the coach and the team – are aiming to win.

"Coming second in WAFCON, or in any competition, is not good enough because nobody remembers who came second. We are hoping we’re going to come first again. And I don’t see any reason why we can’t – unless something unexpected happens to stop us.”

Not even the retirement of stalwarts Noko Matlou and Janine van Wyk, nor the absence of talismanic forward Thembi Kgatlana due to personal reasons, has shaken Hilton-Smith’s belief in the team’s ability to triumph again.

“I think we’ve put together a strong squad. Of course, the gap left by Janine, Noko and Thembi must be filled, so we have to see if the new players can step up.

"But a lot of those who were there before are still around and they’ve got the experience of competing at the highest level. My hope is that the new additions can close that gap so we can defend the title.

“It’s going to be tough because everyone wants to walk away with the trophy – but we can do it.”

She believes Banyana have what it takes to withstand the pressure that comes with being defending champions.

“Last time around, we survived the tension and the pressure of playing against the hosts in the final, with their thousands of supporters in and outside the stadium – and we won the trophy. Many of the players were there last time; they’re going back and know what is expected, and that’s a plus for us to try to relive what we did before.

“Of course, it’s going to be tough because the teams have improved – they’ve got foreign coaches and their players are based overseas, so the standard has really gone up.”

Hilton-Smith, who worked as part of the CAF Technical Study Group at the last WAFCON, says Banyana need to make a strong statement in their opening match against Ghana.

“We’ve got to go there and prove we are the champions. The first match is absolutely crucial for us to stamp our authority on the tournament.

"The team will go into that match on a high after beating Zambia – a magnificent result considering the Zambians had come here at full strength, with the Barbra Bandas and their superstars who play in top leagues, and we managed to beat them,” she said, referencing Banyana’s recent three-nation success prior to their departure for Morocco.

“Let’s carry that momentum into WAFCON and start off on a high because every game is going to be crucial.”

Also in Banyana’s group are Tanzania and Ghana, with the top two teams after the round-robin phase progressing to the knockout stage.

As defending champions, Banyana simply have to make it. And as Hilton-Smith puts it, the goal is to win the tournament – because, after all, no one remembers the runner-up, right?