Banyana Banyana goalkeeper Kaylin Swart oozes confidence as the clock ticks closer to the senior national team’s defence of their Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) title in Morocco next month.
Swart’s name will be among the squad of 21 players coach Desiree Ellis will announce tomorrow.
The 30-year-old Swart, who plays for JVW in the Safa Hollywoodbets Super League, looked in sharp form in Banyana’s last training camp in Auckland Park, Johannesburg, this week, where a preliminary squad of 28 players held camp.
Ready to get to Morocco now
“We’re very excited, while knowing we’re really going to have a tough task defending our title. I have so much belief in this team, and we’re just ready to get to Morocco now,” Swart, who was not always assured of a starting berth at Banyana, said with a smile.
There was huge debate regarding the best candidate to be Banyana’s No 1 between Swart and Andile Dlamini, 32, ahead of the 2023 Fifa Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
But the whole saga never distracted from Swart’s performance for the team and, in fact, she views it as a healthy competition, which brings out the best in her. “The coaches are obviously happy with all the goalkeepers, and that’s a really good headache to have,” said Swart of the competition she still has with Dlamini.
“All of us are capable of starting and I think that’s great, and it helps with the competition. It also keeps you on your toes because every game is going to be different, but we just have to work hard and make sure that we get the result we need.”
I think this tournament is going to be the best one yet, and I do believe that every nation has really upped their level and their performance. But we’ve also grown as a team and as individuals. Every group game is going to be a final but hopefully we can get out of the group unscathed
— Kaylin Swart, Banyana Banyana goalkeeper
The opening match will be played on July 5 between hosts Morocco and Zambia at the newly built Olympic Stadium in Rabat, with the final pencilled in for July 25.
Banyana will open their campaign against Ghana on July 7. The defending champions will next face Tanzania on July 11 and complete their group C matches against Mali on July 14. The South Africans will play all their group matches at Honor Stadium in Oujda, in the northeast of Morocco.
“I think this tournament is going to be the best one yet, and I do believe every nation has really upped their level and performance. But we’ve also grown as a team and as individuals. Every group game is going to be a final but hopefully we can get out of the group unscathed,” said Swart.
Integrating young and senior Banyana players is one of the aspects Ellis will want to strengthen in Morocco, especially with key striker Thembi Kgatlana missing the tournament for personal reasons.
Kgatlana’s long-time striking partner Jermaine Seoposenwe announced this week she will retire from international duty after the Wafcon in Morocco. “We have really talented youngsters that can make a difference in the squad,” said Swart.
They have raised their hands
“It’s our responsibility as seniors now to uphold the standard, and make sure the younger ones know exactly what it takes to be in Banyana. They’ve raised their hands so high, but seniors just need to guide them and make sure the gap is not too big.”
Having played with her for so many years in the women’s national teams, Swart said she will miss Seoposenwe’s influence in the team. “Jermaine is really one of my really good friends, and it’s going to be a sad farewell. Jermaine and I have been together since the under-17s. We have such a great bond, but I wish her all the best, and I hope this last ride is going to be the best one.”
Going to Morocco, where Banyana won their maiden Wafcon trophy in 2022, must be providing some comfort for Swart and company.
“The fact that we’re going to Morocco again really helps in knowing what we’re going to face in terms of the weather, the facilities and all the resources that are there. They’re a top-class federation and they’ve invested so much in the women’s game. It’s going to be a really awesome tournament again,” said Swart.
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