Former Banyana Banyana coach Neil Tovey has highlighted the importance of the team's performance at the 2019 World Cup. Tovey, who coached the women's national team to victory at the 2002 Cosafa Cup, praised the individuals who have helped behind the scenes to progress women's football.
"I think it's gone [up] leaps and bounds as women's football, and I think the major contribution you've gotta go back to a woman by the name of Fran Hilton-Smith. She's done a wonderful job over the years. Unfortunately, she's also not with SAFA anymore, having retired. But women's football has come on leaps and bounds, and now with a National Women's League, it can only come better because there's always that gap and that void between the Sasol League and the national team," Tovey explained to SL Radio.
"It's going to take some time, it's going to take a while, but eventually that gap will be neutralised. And with more of the players [going] abroad, that will help the cause. I think it's great there's also going to be a Champions League with women's football as well. So that's going to be great!"
