Banyana Banyana focuses on Morocco and World Cup qualification after tough Wafcon group stage

The Banyana Banyana team managed to advance to the Women's Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) quarter-finals after a tense 1-0 victory over Burkina Faso. The goal scored by Thembi Kgatlana was decisive in the match, which took place during the final round of Group B at Prince Moulay Rashid Stadium in Casablanca on Tuesday evening.

Thanks to this win, the South Africans secured second place in the group, accumulating four points. Their progression was made possible by Costa Rica defeating Tanzania in their parallel match, which benefited Banyana because any other result against Tanzania could have worked against them according to the head-to-head rule, considering their loss to Twiga Stars in the first match.

Banyana was aware that their performance in the group stage was not the best. Therefore, they needed to demonstrate a higher level of play against the host team Morocco in the quarter-finals on Saturday to contend for a spot in the Wafcon semi-finals and, consequently, in the 2027 World Cup in Brazil.

Although a defeat to Morocco would not mean the end of hopes for the World Cup, the team would have had to qualify through difficult continental and intercontinental playoffs.

It has been ten years since Banyana last reached the final round of the Wafcon group stage needing a win to advance. At that time, they achieved this by securing a convincing 5-0 victory over Egypt, which boosted their confidence in repeating success in Casablanca.

Banyana did its part by beating Burkina Faso 1-0. Costa Rica also succeeded by defeating Tanzania 2-1 in the simultaneous start, allowing them to take first place in the group ahead of South Africa's second place.

An early exit for Banyana would have been painful. They were in such a precarious position due to their own mistakes: careless defense led to a loss to Tanzania, and then they drew with Costa Rica.

Despite these shortcomings, coach Desiré Ellis maintained high confidence in the team, expecting the players to give their all against Burkina Faso, while hoping for a favorable outcome in the other match.

This is exactly what happened. Kaylin Swart prevented an early threat to Banyana by intercepting a dangerous cross. This calmed the team's nerves, allowing them to control the game and advance into the final third of the field.

Captain and Player of the Day Refilo Jane, who is 34 years old, set the pace of the match, giving Isabelle Ludwig—one of the two substitutes playing against Costa Rica—enough freedom for maneuvers.

Banyana's persistence paid off when the Burkina Faso defenders could not handle the attack, allowing Thembi Kgatlana to capitalize on a pass from Fikile Magama and send the ball past goalkeeper Nina Dabilgu.

Kgatlana could have put Banyana in a dominant position with a second goal in the match, but she missed from close range after Jane organized a free kick with a well-thought-out combination.

Banyana held onto the lead until halftime. Then Ellis made substitutions in the half, bringing on Amogelang Motau and Lebokhanga Ramalephe instead of Linda Motlhalho and Noksolo Sesane, respectively.

Ellis's side almost lost control of the advantage shortly after this when referee Alin Eton awarded Burkina Faso a penalty, believing that Antonia Maponya had fouled the opponent in the box. However, after reviewing the incident on the VAR monitor, she overturned her decision.

After overcoming this danger, Banyana increased the pressure, pushing more players forward, with Kgatlana leading the attack. However, Kgatlana's hard work went unnoticed as her teammates failed to finish the attacks in the penalty area.

Ellis added even more attacking players, including Gabriela Mudali-Salgado, to support Kgatlana up front. Although Banyana could not establish a two-goal lead, it ultimately did not matter—Kgatlana's goal and Costa Rica's victory secured Banyana's place in the quarter-finals.

Banyana Banyana managed to breathe new life into its campaign at the Women's Africa Cup of Nations (CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations) after conceding by two goals, only to come back and secure a 2-2 draw against Côte d'Ivoire in a dramatic Group B match on Friday.

Despite demonstrating resilience and recovering from a two-goal deficit, this result puts the team led by Desiree Ellis under pressure to win the final group match against Burkina Faso, as they continue to fight for a spot in the playoffs. Furthermore, South Africa's chances of qualifying are no longer entirely in their hands.

Banyana will need a victory over Burkina Faso, as well as close monitoring of the subsequent match between Tanzania and Burkina Faso, since the outcome of that game will play a decisive role in determining their future.

In the first half, the Banyana team once again faced its usual weakness when Côte d'Ivoire capitalized on a counterattack. Grace Sery opened the scoring in the 18th minute, receiving a perfectly placed cross from Nsira Ouedraogo, and calmly sending the ball past Kaylin Swart, giving Côte d'Ivoire the lead.

The pair continued to operate together until halftime: Ouedraogo again struck the South Africans' defense with an aerial pass. Sery executed her run perfectly, leaving Swart behind, and coolly finished the attack, increasing her score and Côte d'Ivoire's advantage.

In the second half, Banyana came out onto the field needing to respond, and they succeeded thanks to team star Thembi Kgatlana. The forward demonstrated a moment of individual skill, unleashing a stunning shot that allowed South Africa to come back into the game and reduce the deficit to 2-1.

This goal sparked enthusiasm in Ellis's team, which began pressing Côte d'Ivoire in search of an equalizer. Their persistence was eventually rewarded deep into the final minutes when substitute Hildah Magaia scored, completing the comeback and saving a valuable point.

However, the draw means that Banyana still has a long way to go. The former African champions must now defeat Burkina Faso in the last group match and rely on the results of other games to secure qualification for the playoffs. Although the fight shown in Morocco may have kept them in the tournament, there is no room for error.

The Banyana Banyana team will begin its journey towards continental recognition in the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) by playing Tanzania on Monday in Group B's opening match, which will take place in Morocco.

Team Expectations and Experience

As Banyana Banyana is the paper favorite (the match starts at 19:00), the South African team possesses significant experience in major tournaments and has established itself as a consistent contender on the continent over the last decade. The squad also includes players with experience in leading foreign leagues and in the Women's World Cup.

Nevertheless, Tanzania arrives in Morocco with the determination to produce an early surprise. The East African national team has shown steady improvement in recent years and secured its spot in the tournament through an impressive qualifying campaign. Their disciplined defensive style and physical strength make them a difficult opponent, especially for the continent's traditional leaders.

Coach's Preparation and Tactical Aspects

Banyana's head coach, Desiré Ellis, stated that her team has prepared for the challenges posed by Tanzania. She noted that previous encounters have always been intense, and despite the opponents' physical play, the team is ready for such tests after working with many physically strong sides last year.

Ellis also emphasized that Banyana's attacking capabilities, including players like Thembi Kgatlana, Hilda Magaya, and Amogelang Motau, could be a decisive factor, as it was in the past. The coach added that the primary objective is to keep a clean sheet, as the team tends to create scoring opportunities, and they need to maintain control of the game.

Historical Context and Importance of the Start

Match history shows that Banyana should not expect an easy evening, as Tanzania has often proven to be a tenacious opponent, forcing Banyana to fight for victories. A win in the opening match is crucial for South Africa as it strengthens their chances of advancing to the playoffs before more difficult matches in Group B against Burkina Faso and Côte d'Ivoire.

In case of a draw or a loss, the pressure will increase on the remaining group games. Banyana's ability to control the midfield and quickly move the ball between lines could prove decisive against a deep-lying Tanzania, which will look for opportunities on the counterattack. Furthermore, set pieces may play a crucial role in the game, as both teams possess aerial threats.

Motivation of Both Sides

Although South Africa carries high expectations, Tanzania has little to lose. The underdog team is pleased to test its mettle against one of Africa's recognized powers, and gaining points in the first match will significantly boost their qualification chances. However, for Banyana, the goal is clear: any result other than three points will be considered a poor start to a tournament in which they are expected to be title contenders.