Former Banyana star Khabo Zitha 

Former Banyana Banyana star Khabo Zitha says the Hollywoodbets Super League is not enough to bridge the gap between South Africa and overseas national teams ahead of next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Zitha has attributed the gulf in quality between Banyana Banyana and overseas women’s national teams to the lack of development.

While she acknowledges South Africa is littered with football talent dotted around the country, she believes more needs to be done to develop the talents adequately.

Earlier this year, Banyana Banyana conquered the African continent and were crowned the 2022 Women’s African Cup of Nations champions.

However, coming up against Brazil and Australia in international friendlies was a bit of a stumble for the African champions, losing to Brazil 3-0 and 6-0 successively. A month later, in October, they lost 4-1 to Australia. 

ZITHA’S THOUGHTS

With the World Cup coming up in July 2023, the former Banyana midfielder, Zitha, believes that the lack of investment in women’s football in South Africa is the biggest let-down.

“I think it’s not about the quality, quality we have, talent is there. We could have tried earlier to push development for women’s football,” Zitha told FARPost.

“I think it was going to assist us because this is the second time we qualify for the World Cup.

“And we are also going to do well, but it’s a different stage altogether playing in Africa and playing at the World Cup because it is the biggest stage ever. 

“I think women’s football overseas is being taken into account, and they are prioritised. There are professional leagues, like in the US, you see men and women are getting the same amount of cash for the national team.”

“With us, there is a serious gap between men’s and women’s games. But we understand it was still a pilot project because it took too long for South Africa to take women’s football seriously.”

HOW THE GAP CAN BE BRIDGED?

“So the gap is there, and talent is there, quality is there, with development, I think we still have much work to do as a nation.

“If we can join hands together, as they say, it takes a village to raise a child. If women’s football can be given more attention, we can see that we started with the Hollywoodbets Super League.”

“But still, Hollywoodbets is not enough, we still find teams travelling by road to play their games, probably from different provinces, and you find with the guys it doesn’t happen.

“So there is no motivation enough for women’s football, and yet women’s football is one of the most glorified, especially worldwide.”

“And I want South Africa to push women’s football before it’s too late. We still want them to change because we still have a few months until World Cup.” 

Zitha also urged South Africans to support Desiree Ellis throughout the preparations for the World Cup.

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