Sports

“Pressure’s a Privilege”: Swart Leads Banyana into WAFCON 2025 Showdown

Published

2 months ago

July 1, 2025

Chiraag

Kaylin Swart, Banyana Banyana, WAFCON 2025, South Africa goalkeeper, Women’s football, Morocco 2025, Group C Banyana, Ghana vs South Africa, Joburg ETC

As the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) 2025 kicks off in Morocco this July, Banyana Banyana goalkeeper Kaylin Swart isn’t shying away from the spotlight; she’s stepping into it.

It’s a tournament steeped in history and heavy with expectation. And for Swart, the pressure of defending South Africa’s title is more than welcome. It’s fuel.

“I always say pressure is a privilege,” she told local media this week. “When our backs are against the wall, that’s when we really perform.”

Back Where It All Began

Swart and the Banyana squad return to Morocco as reigning champions, having made history there in 2022 when they lifted their first-ever WAFCON trophy in Rabat. This time, they’re based in Casablanca, a change of city, but the sense of purpose is familiar.

“There are such great memories here. We were in Rabat in 2022, and now we’re in Casablanca. The feeling is the same,” said Swart.

South Africa is in Group C with Ghana, Tanzania, and Mali, opening their campaign against the Black Queens on Monday, 7 July. For Swart, Morocco isn’t just a location; it’s a reminder of what’s possible.

A More Mature Banyana

Much has changed since their 2022 triumph. Swart believes the team is mentally stronger, emotionally tighter, and ready to navigate the pressure that comes with being defending champions.

“We’ve grown so much individually. We’re much more mature now, and the coach can see it too,” she said. “Now we’ve got to write a new book. If we can repeat history, that would be great… 2025 might just be a really good chapter for us.”

That growth has come not just through football but through adversity. Earlier this year, Banyana players downed tools during a training camp over unpaid bonuses and unresolved administrative issues. The situation sparked public support and renewed discussions about how women’s teams are treated in South Africa.

Despite that rocky build-up, the players have put the issue behind them, for now, and Swart is focused on football.

Banyana Banyana team training, Kaylin Swart Morocco, WAFCON 2025 squad, SA women’s football, defending champions, Casablanca 2025, Joburg ETC

Image 1: Sports Club

Leading with Confidence

Swart has become a quiet force in the squad. Between her appearances at WAFCON 2022 and the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, she’s emerged as a veteran voice of calm and leadership.

Her belief in the team is unwavering. “That pressure, it won’t get to us. We know what it takes,” she says.

And it’s not just the squad that believes. Fans have rallied behind Banyana on social media, calling for national pride, government support, and full stadiums during this campaign.

“Back this team with everything,” one supporter wrote on X. “They’ve earned it.”

As the team prepares to face Ghana in their WAFCON 2025 opener, they carry the weight of a continent but also the fire of a team that has been here before.

This isn’t just about defending a title. It’s about proving that 2022 wasn’t a fluke. That women’s football in South Africa isn’t a moment; it’s a movement.

For Kaylin Swart and Banyana Banyana, pressure is exactly where they thrive.