[HOMECOMING]: The Queens of Africa Land at OR Tambo International Airport

Banyana Banyana landed at OR Tambo International Airport on 26 July 2022 and were met with excited fans and family members eagerly waiting to welcome the champions back home. The team landed at around 10am.

The Banyana Homecoming was attended by the minister of sports, arts and Culture Nathi Mthethwa, South African Football Association (SAFA) President Danny Jordaan, SAFA Senior Manager for commercial and marketing Amanda Dlamini, Member of the Executive Council (MEC) Mbali Hlophe, amongst others, the MC was Vusiwe Ngcobo.

The players and staff were given R5.8 million by minister Culture Nathi Mthethwa, the money is in addition to the R8,4 million the team received by virtue of winning the 2022 WAFCON, SAFA will be adding R800 000 on the R8,4 million to make it 9,2 million in total. The players and staff will share R15,3 million in total.

“During the tournament, we faced a couple of challenges, we lost Thembi (Kgatlana)which was sombre mood. Thembi reminded us why we were there, and she said we still have our objectives to reach,” said Desiree Ellis, Banyana Banyana Head Coach.

“It is going to be a law in this country, Banyana Banyana will be paid equally because we are making that happen as the government,” said Jordaan at the Banyana Homecoming.

The team won the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) on 23 July 2022 beating Morocco 2-1 in a heated final at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Morocco.