Banyana Banyana are on their way to Morocco for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon). Coach Desiree Ellis, along with her squad, are setting their sights on their opening clash against Tanzania next Monday.
Banyana have been drawn in Group B alongside Tanzania, Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso, with all games set to be played at one venue – the Moulay Rachid Stadium.
With Ellis announcing her final Wafcon squad and expected to link up with the rest of the players playing abroad (Bongeka Gamede, Linda Motlhalo, Amogelang Motau and Thembi Kgatlana) by tomorrow in Morocco, the 2022 Wafcon-winning coach says their sights are firmly set on the opening game.
“I think the first game is the most important. You can’t be thinking or preparing for any other game besides the opener, so we’ve got some analysis on it already. But also, the three teams are almost similar. So, we are sort of preparing similarly for all three teams.
“Because they’re all very physical. They play the long ball but Tanzania plays a bit. Ivory Coast has very good wing play but defensively, I think we are really sound and we’ve got a good group of players in defence that we can move around. The same in the midfield and up front because in our selection, we went with a lot of versatility as well.
“Not everything we do is about selection but it was also part of that in the training. But most importantly, we’re not going to take any team for granted.”
The Wafcon will also offer an opportunity to qualify for the Fifa World Cup in Brazil next year. Ellis has since emphasisedthe importance of doing well at the Wafcon.
“We all know this competition is not just a Wafcon; it is also an opportunity to qualify for the Fifa World Cup. And if you look at some countries already in Morocco preparing for it, you know, that’s how serious they are taking this tournament,” she added.
- Banyana Banyana are heading to Morocco for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon), starting with a match against Tanzania.
- The team is in Group B with Tanzania, Ivory Coast, and Burkina Faso, with all matches at Moulay Rachid Stadium.
- Coach Desiree Ellis emphasizes focusing on the first game and preparing similarly for all physical, long-ball playing teams.
- The squad includes versatile players, with foreign-based players joining soon, and a strong defensive and midfield lineup.
- Wafcon serves as a qualifier for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup in Brazil, highlighting the tournament's high stakes.
“I think the first game is the most important. You can’t be thinking or preparing for any other game besides the opener, so we’ve got some analysis on it already. But also, the three teams are almost similar. So, we are sort of preparing similarly for all three teams.
“Because they’re all very physical.
“Not everything we do is about selection but it was also part of that in the training. But most importantly, we’re not going to take any team for granted.”
“We all know this competition is not just a Wafcon; it is also an opportunity to qualify for the Fifa World Cup.
