The Olympics has shown yet again that women's football on the African continent still has a lot of ground to cover.

For a third consecutive time, Africa will not have a representative in the knockout stage in women's football at the Games.

After making their debut at the 2012 London Olympics, Banyana Banyana were hoping to perform much better this time round, but have finished with one point yet again. They were given more time to prepare and millions of rands were pumped into their preparations.

The teams they played against this year - Sweden, China and Brazil - were there for the taking, but Banyana were unable to impose themselves. Errors at the back, giving opposition time and space to shoot and not taking the few chances that came their way were some of the reasons the team will catch an early flight home.

So what now? Where to for coach Vera Pauw and her ladies?

Well, there's the African Women's Championship coming up in Cameroon in November. If Pauw is to keep her job, then the team cannot fail there.

Pauw's future is uncertain at the moment, but she reiterated the importance of having a professional league.

"We've grown so much and it's been a tremendous journey. A professional league is the only way to drive women's football forward in SA," said Pauw after the goalless draw with Brazil in their final group match yesterday.

"Against Sweden we were unlucky. And China showed us if you don't take your chances, then the opposition will score."

Captain Janine van Wyk, meanwhile, said: "Since 2012, this team has grown enormously. Who would have thought that we'd give the best teams in the world a good fight and be so competitive?

We showed great character [against Brazil], playing in this huge stadium with fans behind them.

"We played our game and created chances. It's really unfortunate we could not progress."