Playing in the dark: the story of Banyana Banyana’s success

Abstract

This research, set out in two distinct parts, attempts to better understand sporting success and failure through the example of the South African national women's football team, affectionately known as Banyana Banyana. Different academic writings on aspects which contribute to sporting success will be the foundation upon which to understand the teams' achievements and failures, In 2018, Banyana qualified to compete at the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup for the first time. Upon their return form this milestone, Banyana failed to quality for a third consecutive Olympic Games, at the first hurdle, against neighbours Botswana. There is an ebb and flow to success but figuring out the shortest journey between these two, is a common goal in sport. Academic writing relating to aspects of success and failure, include the cusp catastrophe model of anxiety and performance; psychosocial competencies; motivation and deliberate practice which will form the lens through which to view the highest level in women's football in South Africa. This assessment will be set out in a long form narrative that is one part of this research report. The other part of this report is the method document, a scholarly report which defines the concepts listed above and provides context of women's football in South Africa and the team Banyana Banyana