Nonkhulahlah Mthandi supports Banyana Banyana ahead of Morocco match in WAFCON Quarterfinals

Banyana Banyana forward Tembi Kgatlana stated that the team never intended to easily relinquish its chances of reaching the Wafcon quarter-finals after securing that spot with a hard-fought victory over Burkina Faso on Tuesday.

Thanks to Kgatlana's single goal, Banyana defeated Burkina Faso, finishing second in Group B with four points. Costa de Mar, who beat Tanzania 2-1 in the final group stage match, topped the group.

The South African squad entered the match under significant pressure, as they needed to win to compensate for a poor start to the tournament, which included a loss to Tanzania and a draw with Costa de Mar. The 1-0 victory over Burkina Faso allowed Banyana Banyana to advance to the WAFCON 2026 quarter-finals.

Kgatlana, who received the player of the match award, noted that sometimes football gives you what you deserve. She emphasized that the team started very slowly but managed to pick up momentum in the last game. According to her, it is always important in the history of South African football to move forward.

"We weren't going to give up easily. I scored after a defensive error, and that helped us control the game a bit better," added Kgatlana. She admitted that the team lacked clinical sharpness or fluidity for a comfortable win against the 'Lady Stallions,' but believes that achieving the result was more important than style.

"Sometimes football doesn't always go according to the tactical plan. You get three points and move forward. I think that's what our team needed. You can see that everyone is happy and smiling in the locker room. They know how much progress means," shared Kgatlana.

Now Banyana Banyana will face the tournament hosts, Morocco, in the quarter-finals in Rabat on Saturday. A win in this match will ensure direct qualification for the 2027 World Cup, while a defeat will require participation in playoffs to earn a spot in Brazil.

The South African team Banyana Banyana is preparing for an important match against Côte d'Ivoire in the second round of Group B of the WAFCON 2026 tournament, which will take place in Morocco on Friday. Gaining points in this encounter is critically important for maintaining qualification chances.

Context and current group standing

The South African national team enters the game under pressure following an unexpected 2-1 defeat to Tanzania in the first match. This result demands an immediate reaction from the team. Currently, Banyana occupies third place in Group B, ahead of Burkina Faso, which is in last place after a 4-1 loss to Côte d'Ivoire in the first round.

Tactical objectives for the team

Despite the tight standings, every point holds immense value for progression. For the team, Diseri Ellis' priority will be correcting the mistakes shown in the debut match. The biggest concern is attacking efficiency: Banyana created enough chances against Tanzania, but lacked the composure to convert them.

Against Côte d'Ivoire, which demonstrated attacking potential by scoring four goals in the first match, South Africa cannot afford to miss clear opportunities. It is necessary to improve the interaction and combination play between Tembi Kgatlana, Hilda Magai, and the midfield. The team requires greater stability in creating quality goal-scoring chances, not just reliance on individual skill.

Defensive and midfield zones

In defense, South Africa also needs to increase discipline upon losing possession. Tanzania exploited spaces during transitions, and Côte d'Ivoire's confident attacking play means such shortcomings could lead to serious losses. The balance between advancing players forward and maintaining defensive coverage will be a key tactical task for Ellis. The battle in the midfield may also be a decisive factor.

Significance of the upcoming match

Banyana must achieve greater ball control while simultaneously preventing Côte d'Ivoire from dictating the pace of the game. Experience remains one of South Africa's main strengths, and players like Kgatlana, Magai, and captain Refilow Jane are expected to lead at this critical moment of the tournament. As one of Africa's most stable women's football nations, Banyana intends to show that the first defeat was merely a temporary setback.

Although Côte d'Ivoire presents a tougher challenge, the Friday match gives South Africa a chance to make a statement and restore confidence in the squad. A win would allow Banyana to return to a strong position in Group B, whereas another loss would put the team in a difficult final match scenario for the group stage. Since they still have to play Burkina Faso in the last round of the group, the team knows that qualification remains in their hands, but a positive result against Côte d'Ivoire makes this meeting possibly the most important in the group stage.

The head coach of the Banyana Banyana team, Disari Ellis, expresses confidence that her national team is capable of recovering and qualifying for the FIFA Women's World Cup, despite an unexpected 2-1 defeat to Tanzania in the first match of the Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) group stage.

First Match and Current Situation

On Monday in Casablanca, Tanzania secured its first victory at WAFCON, leaving Banyana with no room for error ahead of Friday's match against Côte d'Ivoire. During the game in Casablanca, South Africa held second place for a long time.

The loss means that Ellis's team has to catch up with the group leaders, as only the top four teams in the tournament guarantee themselves a spot in next year's FIFA Women's World Cup in Brazil. Despite the disappointment with the result and the performance, Ellis emphasized that attention has already shifted to the next meeting.

Strategy and Challenges

Ellis stated: 'I think everyone is disappointed with the result and the game, but we must look forward because we are still in the game.' She added that the team is still aiming for the World Cup and believes the next match is a must-win. South Africa will face Côte d'Ivoire, which is showing high confidence after a convincing 4-1 victory over Burkina Faso, rising to first place in Group B.

The coach expects a serious test from one of West Africa's traditional heavyweights. Ellis noted: 'Obviously, we talked about how important this match [against Tanzania] was. Now we are chasing in the group, so it is up to us to raise our standards and show who we really are.' She also warned about the difficulty of the opponent: 'Côte d'Ivoire will be another big challenge... another physical West African team.'

Positive Aspects and Mistakes

Despite the unsuccessful performance against Tanzania, Ellis sees encouraging signs that can be utilized before the decisive match on Friday. Banyana improved their play after the break and created enough chances, indicating their ability to change the course of the campaign.

'The positive aspects we can take from the game against Tanzania are that we created chances,' she said. She also suggested: 'I thought we played better with the ball in the second half, but we know how well we can play with the ball.'

The experienced coach admitted that defensive shortcomings ultimately proved critical, as Tanzania capitalized on South Africa's uncharacteristic errors. 'There are some weak points in defense that we can still tighten up, because we could have played better on both goals conceded.'

Team Goals for the Future

Now Ellis hopes that her experienced squad will respond to this setback as was characteristic of most of her coaching tenure. A victory over Côte d'Ivoire will not only revive Banyana's hopes of reaching the playoffs but also put the team back on track to achieve its main goal—qualifying for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup. However, any other outcome will jeopardize South Africa's campaign before the final match of Group B.