South Africa have returned from the Women’s World Cup wiser and more experienced and now determined to prove their rise to the top tier of world football by dominating the COSAFA Women’s Championship.

Both coach Desiree Ells and captain Janine van Wyk said the side would now be looking to prove their progress when they defend their COSAFA title at the 2019 finals in Port Elizabeth from July 31-August 11.

“We are defending champions in the COSAFA Cup and we want to win that again and earn qualification for the upcoming 2020 Tokyo Olympics,” said Ellis.

On the Women’s World Cup, where Banyana lost all three group games to Spain, China and Germany, Ellis said the results had been disappointing but she could not fault the commitment of her players.

“That was all there for everyone to see. We are not where we want to be but we are getting there.”

Van Wyk said he and her teammates were long forward to the Port Elizabeth tournament where Banyana will look to win the title for a third successive edition.

The COSAFA Women’s Under-20 Championship will also be staged in PE from August 1-11. The draws for both competitions will be made on July 3 in Johannesburg.