After four previous final failures, the South Africa ended several years of heartbreak by defeating host nation Morocco 2-1 to win the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations for the first time.

Hilda Magaia scored two quick goals midway through the second half to finally guide South Africa over the line, making her Banyana Banyana’s hero.

Although Rosella Ayane pulled a goal back for the Atlas Lionesses ten minutes from time, it was too little too late for a team making its first appearance in the final.

South Africa had lost their four previous finals: in 2000, 2008, 2012 and 2018.

“It was a humbling experience, and an emotional one, when you look at the journey that we have travelled as Banyana Banyana,” captain Refiloe Jane told BBC Sport Africa.

“To finally get to this point meant a lot for everyone. When the final whistle went out, I was crying. It was the most humbling and emotional experience.

“I don’t think I’ve ever cried so much after a football match – that goes to show our journey, everything that we had to go through and things have finally come together.”

For Banyana Banyana coach Desire Ellis, this was a hugely-satisfying win after first trying – and failing – as a player to win the trophy when losing the final 22 years ago.

Out of the camera directly to your eyes. 🤩

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

After Ellis oversaw another final defeat, against Nigeria, four years ago from the touchline, her charges entered this tournament with a so-called ‘mentality coach’ in a bid to improve positivity.

“It feels amazing,” she told the BBC. “I’m an African champion now – and no one can take that away from us.”

South Africa needed real composure throughout the game to silence a raucous home crowd that had filled the 53,000-seater stadium at least two hours before kick-off, and which lit up the Rabat sky with dozens of red and white flares during the game.

Mamelodi Sundowns have reportedly landed the signature of Bafana Bafana captain Ronwen William on a five year deal, following week’s of speculation and negotiations.

According to the SABC, the 30 year old shot-stopper will leave SuperSport United after spending 18 years at the Pretoria based club.

Williams has reportedly been looking to leave the Matsatsantsa as he looks to challenge for trophies, and it appears he has found his new home at current DStv Premiership champions Sundowns.

“Indications are that the deal has been concluded, with Williams signing a long-term contract, while his former club have successfully negotiated the transfer of another goalkeeper in Ricardo Goss as well as young striker Thabang Sibanyoni to join coach Gavin Hunt’s side for the upcoming season,” SABC Sport reported on Wednesday.

According to the report, SuperSport Uniter were initially not willing to let their star goalkeeper go if they did not get Goss on a permanent deal, but they’ve now had to settle on a two-year loan, with striker Sibanyoni also thrown in.

The 28 year old Goss has found game time hard to come since making his move to Sundowns, but will now be reunited with Gavin Hunt, a man he previously worked with at Wits.

Sundowns are currently in KwaZulu-Natal on a pre-season camp, and will take part in this year’s edition of the Prince Mangosuthu Legacy Cup this weekend.

Sekhukhune United has announced the signing of Royal AM forward, Victor Letsoalo on a three year contract deal, according to reports.

Letsoalo was tipped to potentially join Kaizer Chief or Orlando Pirates, however, he signed for Sekhukhune United which comes a shock as reported by FARPost.

The 29-year-old Bafana Bafana forward ended the season finishing second on the goal-king chart behind top-scorer Peter Shalulile who found the back of the net 23 times. He scored 15 goals in the South African top-flight.

Letsoalo’s top performance in the past season for Royal AM side saw the newly promoted side who made their debut campaign in the South African top-flight league finishing 3rd, earning qualification to the CAF Confederation Cup.

It remains to be seen how Royal AM will cope with not only the departure of Letsoalo but also of former coach John Maduka who has since moved across Kwa-Zulu Natal to take charge of Maritzburg United.

Former Bafana Bafana star Mark Fish has said that he is supporting Ria Ledwaba in the race for the SAFA presidency against Danny Jordaan.

Ledwaba is currently challenging for the SAFA presidency but is viewed as an outsider against competitor Danny Jordaan.

At the moment, I’m supporting Ria (Ledwaba). It’s not because we are ex-footballers. We are football fans as well. We need change. SAFA has done good things but we need change if we are to move forward. I think if we don’t see change now, it will be difficult to see improvement in grassroots football,” said Fish.

Fish insisted that change is now necessary if Bafana Bafana is to embark on a revival after nearly two decades of mediocrity on the field of play.

“We are giving support to an individual who has spoken to us as ex-players and said that she can bring change. We need change to move on. We need to get back to being number one in the continent and back to being among the top 20 or 25 in the World,” said Fish.

The former Charlton Athletic defender insisted that while he is supporting Ledwaba, he has no personal issues with Jordaan.

“Danny has never done anything wrong to me. I have a picture of Danny, myself and Benni McCarthy at the 1998 World Cup. I also have a picture of myself and Danny in Congo. He is passionate about the game.

Nothing has changed but I feel that we need a change of leadership. Ria has put up her hand and we are behind it because we feel that there should be change,” said Fish.

Egyptian Giants Al Ahly have announced their decision to part ways with Head Coach Pitso Mosimane two years after his appointment.

The future of the 57 year old Mosimane came under the spotlight after his Red Devils side suffered defeat to Wydad Casablanca in the CAF Champions League final.

Al Ahly President, Mahmoud El Khatib along with other board members held a meeting regarding Mosimane’s tenure with defeat in the champions league and the indifferent form in their domestic endeavours on the agenda.

Mosimane with back-to-back champions league medals on his was considered the right man to lead the Club of The Century into a new era, However in a twist of events, the former Bafana Bafana mentor has requested to leave his post at the Cairo based club.

“During the meeting, they all decided that he should continue his mission with Al Ahly as of the achievements he has managed to accomplish during his time at the club, However during a meeting that was held recently Mosimane requested to leave and that he was satisfied with the achievements he managed while with the club,” the club statement read.

“Later on it was discussed and the board decided to approve his request to part ways with the club and thank him for all his achievements while with the club.”

Mosimane’s two year stay at Al Ahly will be regarded as one of the successful at the club having managed two champions league medals along with two super cups and an Egyptian cup. He leaves the club in third place on the Egyptian premier league, trailing Zamalek in first by seven points but having four games in hand.