Banyana Banyana will win the Women's Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) for the first time if they beat Morocco in the final in Rabat, Morocco, on Saturday night.
Banyana have been to five Wafcon finals but are yet to lift the trophy.
But playing against a Moroccan team that's never been in the final before gives the SA side a favourite tag though the home team will enjoy huge support on the stands.
All Banyana players have raised their profile with the performances that they've shown in Morocco, but here we pick four whose contribution we think could be key to the team winning the tournament.
Noko Matlou, 36
Matlou is a veteran Banyana player and has played in most of the five finals that Banyana have lost before.
The Limpopo-born player started as a striker and was crowned Caf Women's Footballer of the Year in 2008 but she hasn't slowed down and is now playing as a central defender.
She's one reason Banyana have conceded only two goals in five matches in their march to the final on Saturday.
Matlou's experience will be vital in the final as some young players may be intimidated by the partisan crowd.
Noxolo Cesane, 21
Cesane is one the least experienced in the current Banyana side but that she has played in four of the five matches as an attacking midfielder shows how much she's grown.
Cesane forces defenders to commit fouls against her in dangerous areas and will be key in Banyana's attack in the final.
In the absence of injured Thembi Kgatlana, Cesane is one player who has shown a lot of support to striker Jermaine Seoposenwe.
Linda Motlhalo, 24
The versatile attacking midfielder forms part of the vital cog in Banyana's attack and could make a difference in the final against Morocco.
Motlhalo's lone penalty, her second in the tournament, gave Banyana victory against Zambia in the semifinal.
She's a player who makes Banyana plays and links up well with fellow European-based midfielder Refiloe Jane.
Motlhalo was in the team that lost to Nigeria in the final in 2018 and has experience of playing in the World Cup (2019).
Refiloe Jane, 29
The AC Milan midfielder captains Banyana and has showed a lot of maturity playing a deep role in the midfield.
Her ability to control the game should help. She's a player Banyana rely on when they have place kicks just outside the area.
She missed out on winning gold in Ghana in 2018 and would want nothing but to lift the trophy on Saturday.
Jane has it in her to determine how Banyana approaches the game in the final.
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Four players who could inspire Banyana to lift their first Wafcon trophy
Image: SAFA
Banyana Banyana will win the Women's Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) for the first time if they beat Morocco in the final in Rabat, Morocco, on Saturday night.
Banyana have been to five Wafcon finals but are yet to lift the trophy.
But playing against a Moroccan team that's never been in the final before gives the SA side a favourite tag though the home team will enjoy huge support on the stands.
All Banyana players have raised their profile with the performances that they've shown in Morocco, but here we pick four whose contribution we think could be key to the team winning the tournament.
Noko Matlou, 36
Matlou is a veteran Banyana player and has played in most of the five finals that Banyana have lost before.
The Limpopo-born player started as a striker and was crowned Caf Women's Footballer of the Year in 2008 but she hasn't slowed down and is now playing as a central defender.
She's one reason Banyana have conceded only two goals in five matches in their march to the final on Saturday.
Matlou's experience will be vital in the final as some young players may be intimidated by the partisan crowd.
Noxolo Cesane, 21
Cesane is one the least experienced in the current Banyana side but that she has played in four of the five matches as an attacking midfielder shows how much she's grown.
Cesane forces defenders to commit fouls against her in dangerous areas and will be key in Banyana's attack in the final.
In the absence of injured Thembi Kgatlana, Cesane is one player who has shown a lot of support to striker Jermaine Seoposenwe.
Linda Motlhalo, 24
The versatile attacking midfielder forms part of the vital cog in Banyana's attack and could make a difference in the final against Morocco.
Motlhalo's lone penalty, her second in the tournament, gave Banyana victory against Zambia in the semifinal.
She's a player who makes Banyana plays and links up well with fellow European-based midfielder Refiloe Jane.
Motlhalo was in the team that lost to Nigeria in the final in 2018 and has experience of playing in the World Cup (2019).
Refiloe Jane, 29
The AC Milan midfielder captains Banyana and has showed a lot of maturity playing a deep role in the midfield.
Her ability to control the game should help. She's a player Banyana rely on when they have place kicks just outside the area.
She missed out on winning gold in Ghana in 2018 and would want nothing but to lift the trophy on Saturday.
Jane has it in her to determine how Banyana approaches the game in the final.
Support independent journalism by subscribing to the Sunday Times. Just R20 for the first month.
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