{
  "id": 12645500,
  "title": "Banyana determined to return to the Olympic Games after missing out",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/banyana-determined-to-return-to-the-olympic-games-after-missing-out",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-07T13:30:10.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "SABC News",
    "slug": "sabc-news",
    "url": "https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/banyana-banyana-eye-olympic-return-after-missing-last-two-games/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Banyana Banyana are resolute in their pursuit of a return to the Olympic Games, having missed out on the last two editions. The team will take on Madagascar in the second round of the 2028 CAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament, with the first leg scheduled for Friday and the second leg in Bloemfontein on Tuesday. The ultimate goal is to secure one of the final two African Olympic spots, which will only be determined in the fifth and final qualifying round in November and December 2027. Banyana Banyana's coach, Desiree Ellis, emphasizes the significance of qualifying for the Olympics for both the current team and the upcoming younger players who can benefit from the global experience. The first leg of the match against Madagascar, considered a home game for the African nation, will be played in Bloemfontein due to the lack of a suitable stadium in Madagascar. Banyana Banyana player Isabella Ludwig expresses her confidence in the outcome of the opening match, stating that a positive result will provide the technical team with additional options and tactics for the second leg in the following week. Despite the absence of spectators due to the first leg being played behind closed doors, Ellis stresses that Banyana Banyana will not underestimate Madagascar, and the team's focus will remain on the main objective of qualifying for the Olympics. The road ahead includes three more rounds, with the final decisive round taking place from 23 November to 4 December 2027, when the winners will secure Africa's representation at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.",
  "summary": "Banyana are determined to return to the Olympic Games after missing out on the last two editions.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "GBC Ghana",
        "title": "Seven nations enter race to host 2036 Olympic Games",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/seven-nations-enter-race-to-host-2036-olympic-games",
        "published": "2026-10-07T11:45:38.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Post Nigeria",
        "title": "2028 Olympic Games: Withdrawals will not affect Falcons against Comoros – Eguavoen",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/2028-olympic-games-withdrawals-will-not-affect-falcons-against",
        "published": "2026-10-07T17:10:38.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}