Banyana Banyana goals unlock 8,000 packs of sanitary pads for young footballers

Banyana Banyana's Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) campaign may have ended, but the team's goals are continuing to make an impact off the football pitch.

The national women's team scored eight goals during the campaign, triggering the donation of 8,000 packs of Stayfree sanitary pads through the brand's Goals 4 Pads initiative.

Stayfree, Banyana Banyana's official sanitary pad sponsor, launched the initiative in June under its #KeepingThemLockedIn campaign. The programme commits to donating 1,000 packs of sanitary pads for every goal scored by the team.

The latest two goals came during Banyana Banyana's 2-1 victory over Nigeria in the WAFCON second-chance play-off, increasing the donation tally from 6,000 to 8,000 packs.

The team had earlier suffered a 2-1 quarter-final defeat to hosts Morocco, ending their hopes of retaining the continental title. However, the victory over Nigeria ensured that their tournament ended on a positive note.

Banyana Banyana scored in every match of this year's WAFCON campaign, with their eight-goal tally also including a goal scored during their international fixture against Japan in June.

Stayfree said the initiative is designed to connect the team's performances on the international stage with improved access to menstrual health products for young female footballers.

The company said every goal represents more than a score on the pitch, as the resulting donations are intended to help girls participate in sport without menstruation becoming a barrier.

Kelly Johnson, Head of Essential and Skin Health at Kenvue Sub-Sahara Africa, said the team's campaign demonstrated resilience and determination.

“Banyana Banyana have once again shown us what resilience, determination and belief look like,” Johnson said.

She acknowledged that the quarter-final loss to Morocco was disappointing but said the team's performance had provided many reasons for South Africans to celebrate.

Johnson said the eight goals represented an opportunity to provide 8,000 packs of sanitary products to girls across the country.

The initiative will focus on grassroots female football academies and schoolgirls' football teams, with the aim of supporting young players who may otherwise struggle to access menstrual health products.

The partnership also seeks to highlight the link between menstrual confidence and participation in women's sport.

Stayfree said access to sanitary products can help girls attend training sessions, participate in matches and continue pursuing their sporting ambitions without having to sit out because of their periods.

Despite their WAFCON title defence coming to an end, Banyana Banyana still have another opportunity to qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup in Brazil.

The team will compete in the FIFA Women's World Cup Inter-Confederation Play-Off Tournament, with the first phase scheduled for November and December 2026.

South Africa will compete in a six-team preliminary group alongside fellow African qualifiers Ghana, two Asian teams, one team from Oceania and one from South America.

Teams that progress will advance to a knockout stage in February 2027, where the remaining World Cup places will be contested.

Johnson said Stayfree would continue supporting the national team throughout their journey.

“We will continue standing behind them and celebrating every goal, every milestone and every girl whose dreams are unlocked along the way,” she said.

The initiative has so far turned Banyana Banyana's eight goals into 8,000 packs of sanitary pads, with Stayfree positioning the campaign as a way of using the team's sporting achievements to create opportunities for the next generation of female footballers.