Banyana Beat Burkina Faso To Reach WAFCON Quarterfinals
Banyana Banyana booked their place in the quarterfinals of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Burkina Faso at the Moulay Rachid Stadium in Casablanca on Tuesday evening.
Thembi Kgatlana scored the decisive goal in the 21st minute, firing a right-footed effort into the middle of the net from inside the penalty area after being picked out by Fikile Magama. The duo combined brilliantly as Banyana Banyana dominated the opening 30 minutes.
South Africa continued to threaten as they searched for a second goal, but Burkina Faso remained in the contest and looked dangerous after the break.
Banyana Banyana were handed a major scare just a minute into the second half when the referee awarded Burkina Faso a penalty in the 46th minute. However, after a review by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), the decision was overturned.
The South Africans responded by pushing forward, with Isabella Ludwig coming close to doubling the lead in the 53rd minute. She failed to hit the target from inside the box after Kgatlana found her with a cross from the right.
Kgatlana had another chance to extend South Africa’s advantage in the 70th minute, but her right-footed effort from inside the area drifted wide of the left post.
Both sides continued to battle for control in the closing stages, but neither could find another goal as Banyana Banyana held on for a crucial victory.
The result sets up a quarterfinal clash against hosts Morocco on Saturday in a repeat of the 2022 WAFCON final, when Banyana Banyana defeated the North Africans to lift their first continental title.
Qualification for the knockout stage came after a difficult Group B campaign for Desiree Ellis’ side. South Africa opened the tournament with a 2-1 defeat to Tanzania before drawing 2-2 with Ivory Coast, leaving them needing victory in their final group match against Burkina Faso.
Banyana Banyana’s progression also depended on the outcome of the other Group B fixture, with Ivory Coast needing to beat Tanzania. The Ivorians did exactly that, winning 2-1 against Tanzania on Tuesday, allowing South Africa to advance to the quarterfinals.
Banyana Banyana are now just one victory away from securing qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil. The four semifinalists at WAFCON will automatically qualify for the global showpiece.
Banyana has not failed to reach the knockout stages since 2002. Coach Desiree Ellis has never been eliminated in the group stages.
