As South Africa commemorates Women's Month and reflects on the legacy of the historic 1956 Womens March,
under the theme “Empowered Women Empower The Nation,” Stayfree – Banyana Banyana Official Sanitary
Pad Sponsor – celebrates the determination, resilience and impact of South Africas national womens football
team following a rollercoaster finish to their 2026 Womens Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) campaign: a
hard-fought 2-1 quarter-final defeat to hosts Morocco, followed by a spirited 2-1 second-chance play-off win
over Nigeria.
While Banyana Banyanas WAFCON title journey has come to an end, their campaign has delivered much more
than results on the pitch. To date, the team has scored in every match of the tournament, taking their Goals 4
Pads tally to eight goals and unlocking 8,000 packs of Stayfree sanitary pads for donation to grassroots female
football academies and schoolgirls football teams across South Africa.
The latest result, a 2-1 win over Nigeria in the WAFCON second-chance play-off, added two further goals and
unlocked another 2,000 packs, bringing the campaign total from 6,000 to 8,000 packs.
Launched in June under the #KeepingThemLockedIn campaign platform, Stayfree Goals 4 Pads initiative
commits the brand to gifting 1,000 packs of sanitary pads for every goal scored by Banyana Banyana. The
initiative creates a direct connection between the team's performances on the international stage and greater
access to menstrual health products for the next generation of female footballers.
The eight goals include Banyana Banyana opening strike during their international fixture against Japan in June,
followed by seven goals across their WAFCON campaign. Importantly, Banyana Banyana have found the back
of the net in every match they have played at this year tournament, demonstrating the attacking spirit and
determination that have characterised their campaign.
Every goal now represents more than a moment on the scoreboard. It represents confidence under pressure,
uninterrupted performance and the opportunity for more girls to pursue their sporting ambitions without
menstruation becoming a barrier to participation.
Speaking during Women's Month, Kelly Johnson, Head of Essential and Skin Health at Kenvue Sub-Sahara
Africa, said the campaign demonstrates the powerful impact that can be created when sport and social purpose
come together.
“Banyana Banyana have once again shown us what resilience, determination and belief look like. While the
result against Morocco was not what the team or the nation hoped for, their journey has given us so many
moments to celebrate. Most importantly for Goals 4 Pads, they have scored in every match of their WAFCON
campaign, taking the initiative to 8,000 packs of Stayfree sanitary pads for young girls across South Africa.
“Eight goals means 8,000 packs, but the impact goes far beyond that number. Every pack represents an
opportunity for a young girl to feel confident, protected and able to focus on what she loves. During Women's
Month, we are proud to celebrate Banyana Banyana not only for what they achieve on the field, but for the
example they continue to set for the next generation.
“Their WAFCON journey may have ended, but their World Cup journey certainly has not (and their 2-1 win
over Nigeria is a clear indication of that).”
The partnership continues to champion an important conversation in women sport: the relationship between
menstrual confidence and athletic performance.
Through Stayfree partnership with Banyana Banyana, the same focus on confidence, protection and
performance that supports South Africa national team is being extended to young players at grassroots level.
The initiative aims to help ensure that menstruation does not prevent girls from attending training,
participating in matches or pursuing their sporting ambitions.
Banyana Banyana now have another opportunity to continue their road to the FIFA Women World Cup, as they
advance to the FIFA Women World Cup Inter-Confederation Play-Off Tournament, the final step in their bid
to reach the 2027 FIFA Women World Cup in Brazil. The first phase runs in November and December
2026 at a centralised venue still to be confirmed by FIFA, where South Africa will feature in a six-team
preliminary group stage alongside fellow African qualifiers Ghana, two teams from Asia, one from Oceania and
one from South America. Successful teams then progress to a knockout final stage in February 2027,
competing for the last remaining spots at the global tournament.
As Banyana Banyana prepare for this next phase, Johnson added: “We will continue standing behind them and
celebrating every goal, every milestone and every girl whose dreams are unlocked along the way.”
For Stayfree, the commitment remains clear: every Banyana Banyana goal can help unlock greater
confidence and opportunity for the next generation.
Eight goals. 8,000 packs. Countless futures unlocked.
Players. Pads. Performance.
#KeepingThemLockedIn
