Group Stage Progression
Banyana Banyana, the South African national women’s team, have advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) following a 1-0 victory over Burkina Faso. The decisive match took place on August 4 in Casablanca at Moulay Rachid Stadium. This win, coupled with Ivory Coast’s 2-1 defeat of Tanzania in a simultaneously played fixture, ensured South Africa’s progression from Group B.
The team’s journey through the group stage was not without its challenges. South Africa began their campaign with a 2-1 loss to Tanzania on July 27, followed by a 2-2 draw against Ivory Coast, where they fought back from a two-goal deficit. This slow start placed pressure on the team to secure a win in their final group match against Burkina Faso.
Head coach Desiree Ellis opted for an experienced lineup for the crucial encounter, including Kaylin Swart, Bambanani Mbane, Refiloe Jane, Linda Motlhalo, Hildah Magaia, Noxolo Cesane, and Thembi Kgatlana. Burkina Faso had an early opportunity to score when Alimata Bélem was through on goal, but Swart was able to gather the ball. South Africa then created their own chances, with Isabella Ludwig’s header narrowly missing the target in the 18th minute.
The breakthrough for Banyana Banyana came three minutes later. A move involving Fikile Magama led to Thembi Kgatlana calmly finishing from close range, scoring what would be the only goal of the match in the 21st minute. Kgatlana was later recognized as the Player of the Match for her contribution.
Following the goal, South Africa focused on defending their lead. Coach Ellis acknowledged that the team became somewhat complacent after scoring early. She stated, “We scored early; we stopped playing. Then we got another chance; we stopped playing.” Despite this, she praised her players’ defensive organization, noting that while the performance wasn’t always “pretty,” it was effective. The team’s ability to hold on to the lead was also aided by a VAR review that overturned a penalty initially awarded to Burkina Faso early in the second half.
Milestones and Upcoming Challenge
The victory against Burkina Faso also marked personal milestones for several players. Hildah Magaia and Gabriela Moodaly-Salgado both earned their 50th international caps for the national team. Additionally, captain Refiloe Jane celebrated her birthday on the night of the match.
With the group stage concluded, Banyana Banyana finished second in Group B with four points, three points behind group leaders Ivory Coast. This progression sets up a quarterfinal clash against tournament hosts Morocco. The match is scheduled to take place in Rabat on Saturday, August 8, at 10 PM South African time.
This upcoming quarterfinal is a repeat of the 2022 Wafcon final, where Banyana Banyana defeated Morocco 2-1 in Rabat to secure their first continental title after five previous runner-up finishes. Morocco, who were also finalists in 2024, have had a strong campaign in this edition, remaining unbeaten with two wins and a draw, and have yet to concede a goal. They are known for their solid defense and aggressive pressing style of play.
The quarterfinal match holds significant importance beyond just advancing in the tournament. The four winners of the quarterfinals will automatically qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil. Coach Ellis emphasized the team’s fighting spirit and their continuous improvement, stating, “It’s not how you start, but how you finish.” She added that the team will celebrate their group stage progression and then focus on preparing for the next game against Morocco.
Source: dailymaverick.co.za
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