Banyana Miss 2027 World Cup After WAFCON Quarter-Final Loss To Morocco

Banyana Banyana will miss the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil after suffering a 2-1 defeat to hosts Morocco in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals at Stade Prince Moulay El Hassan on Saturday.

Despite piling bodies forward during eight minutes of stoppage time, South Africa could not find a way back, with Ronelle Donnelly miscuing a late chance to hit the target.

Banyana were undone by a 31st-minute strike from Sakina Ouzraoui, before Hanane Aït El Haj doubled Morocco’s lead from the penalty spot in the 52nd minute.

Karabo Dhlamini set up star forward Thembi Kgatlana in the 67th minute, with Kgatlana latching onto the pass and finishing confidently at the near post to beat Khadija Errmichi.

The strike provided the spark Banyana needed to get back into the contest, mirroring their fightback from two goals down to draw 2-2 against Ivory Coast earlier in the tournament.

However, there was to be no repeat heroics on Saturday. The defeat ends South Africa’s streak of qualification, having featured at the past two World Cups, including a historic round-of-16 run in 2023.

For Morocco, the victory seals World Cup qualification under head coach Jorge Vilda, who led Spain to global glory three years ago.