Soccer

Match against Burkina Faso no longer in Banyana Banyana’s hands

By Kgomotso Mokoena
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Bambanani Mbane celebrates during South Africa's Wafcon Group B match against Tanzania in Morocco.
CASABLANCA, MOROCCO - JULY 27: Bambanani Mbane of South Africa celebrating during the Women's Africa Cup of Nations, Group B match between South Africa and Tanzania at Stade Hay Moulay Rachid on July 27, 2026 in Casablanca, Morocco. (Photo by Zamani Makautsi/Gallo Images)

Banyana Banyana’s 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) team was able to turn a desperate situation around in terms of qualifying for the Fifa Women’s World Cup next year after their hard-fought 2-2 draw against Ivory Coast on Friday.

This means Banyana have to beat Burkina Faso on Tuesday if they are serious about qualifying for the next round.

But it is stillnot in their hands —Tanzania and Ivory Coast are in control in Group B standings.

The South Africans were trailing 2-0 in the second half but a spirited fightback saw them coming from behind and stealing a draw after it all looked hopeless.

At that time, Banyana were on their way out of the competition — after they lost their opening match to Tanzania by 2-1.

Hildah Magaia’s late equaliser in stoppage time revived Banyana’s hopes at Wafcon. Thembi Kgatlana had reduced the deficit with a cracker of a goal.

Coach Desiree Ellis and her side have to win against Burkina Faso in their final Group B match on Tuesday to take their point tally to four and hope the other results fall in their favour.

Before kick-off, the game was marred by unsavoury remarks by South African defender Bambanani Mbane.

She launched a tirade against the fans who criticised the team after their defeat to Tanzania.

The South African Football Association (Safa) has confirmed that it is dealing internally with social media comments involving a Banyana player.

Said Ellis after the match: “We didn’t have a good first half, but what a fighting spirit in the second half and we could have won it in the end. The players showed a lot of resilience, a lot of character and that gives us a little bit of hope.”

  • Banyana Banyana secured a crucial 2-2 draw against Ivory Coast in the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, reviving their World Cup qualification hopes.
  • They must win their final Group B match against Burkina Faso to advance, but qualification is still dependent on other results.
  • South Africa came back from a 2-0 deficit, with goals from Thembi Kgatlana and a stoppage-time equalizer by Hildah Magaia.
  • The team faced internal issues, including criticism from defender Bambanani Mbane towards fans and an ongoing investigation by SAFA regarding her social media comments.
  • Coach Desiree Ellis praised the team’s second-half resilience and fighting spirit despite a poor first half performance.
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Banyana Banyana’s 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) team was able to turn a desperate situation around in terms of qualifying for the Fifa Women’s World Cup next year after their hard-fought 2-2 draw against Ivory Coast on Friday.

This means Banyana have to beat Burkina Faso on Tuesday if they are serious about qualifying for the next round.

But it is stillnot in their hands —Tanzania and Ivory Coast are in control in Group B standings.

The South Africans were trailing 2-0 in the second half but a spirited fightback saw them coming from behind and stealing a draw after it all looked hopeless.

At that time, Banyana were on their way out of the competition — after they lost their opening match to Tanzania by 2-1.

Hildah Magaia’s late equaliser in stoppage time revived Banyana’s hopes at Wafcon. Thembi Kgatlana had reduced the deficit with a cracker of a goal.

Coach Desiree Ellis and her side have to win against Burkina Faso in their final Group B match on Tuesday to take their point tally to four and hope the other results fall in their favour.

Before kick-off, the game was marred by unsavoury remarks by South African defender Bambanani Mbane.

She launched a tirade against the fans who criticised the team after their defeat to Tanzania.

The South African Football Association (Safa) has confirmed that it is dealing internally with social media comments involving a Banyana player.

Said Ellis after the match: “We didn’t have a good first half, but what a fighting spirit in the second half and we could have won it in the end. The players showed a lot of resilience, a lot of character and that gives us a little bit of hope.”