Magaia Strikes Late To Keep Banyana’s WAFCON Place Alive

Hildah Magaia came to Banyana Banyana’s rescue with a dramatic stoppage-time equaliser as South Africa fought back to earn a 2-2 draw against Ivory Coast in their second Group B match of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) at the Moulay Rachid Stadium in Casablanca on Friday evening.

The late goal kept Banyana’s hopes of remaining in the WAFCON and qualifying for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup alive after they suffered a 2-1 defeat to Tanzania in their opening match on Tuesday.

Ivory Coast took the lead in the 18th minute through Grace Sery, who fired a right-footed strike from outside the penalty area following a swift counter-attack. The move began after South Africa failed to capitalise on a corner, with N’sira Safi providing the assist.

The Ivorians doubled their advantage in the 35th minute when Sery completed her brace. She curled a left-footed effort into the net from outside the box after another assist from Safi, with South African goalkeeper Kaylin Swart once again caught off her line.

It was a frustrating first half for Desiree Ellis’ side, who struggled to find their rhythm as Ivory Coast controlled possession and restricted South Africa’s attacking opportunities.

Banyana’s only clear chance before the break came in first-half stoppage time when Thembi Kgatlana’s right-footed effort from inside the box was comfortably saved by Ivory Coast goalkeeper Aramatou Diakite.

South Africa returned with far greater urgency after the interval and were rewarded in the 70th minute when Kgatlana produced a superb right-footed finish from the left side of the box into the top corner after being set up by captain Refiloe Jane.

Banyana continued to dominate the second half, creating several opportunities in search of an equaliser. They also had a goal ruled out for offside through Magaia, but refused to let their heads drop.

Their persistence was finally rewarded deep into stoppage time when Magaia fired a left-footed shot from inside the box across the face of goal to make it 2-2 and rescue a valuable point for South Africa.

The draw keeps Banyana’s hopes of reaching the knockout stages alive, although they will need a positive result against Burkina Faso in their final Group B match and will also rely on a favourable outcome in the other group fixture between Tanzania and Ivory Coast.

South Africa will face Burkina Faso in their final group-stage match at the Moulay Rachid Stadium on Tuesday, while Ivory Coast will take on Tanzania on the same day.