Dlamini: Banyana Ready For Must-Win WAFCON Clash

Banyana Banyana goalkeeper Andile Dlamini expects a tough challenge against Burkina Faso but believes South Africa have what it takes to secure a vital victory.

South Africa face Burkina Faso in their final Group B match at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) on Tuesday.

Banyana Banyana need nothing less than a victory to keep their hopes of reaching the knockout stages alive.

Desiree Ellis’ side are bottom of Group B with one point from two matches. They opened their campaign with a 2-1 defeat to Tanzania before fighting back to earn a 2-2 draw against Ivory Coast on Friday.

“Burkina Faso are not an easy team,” Dlamini said.

“They have three points, and we have seen how they play. But we also know our capabilities; we know what we are capable of. We haven’t had the tournament we wanted, but this is our final group game, and we will do our best to make our country proud.”

Dlamini was named the Goalkeeper of the Tournament when Banyana won this competition in 2022.

However, she missed the 2-1 loss to Tanzania in the second group stage match, with Kaylin Swart preferred in goals.

Dlamini stressed the importance of the encounter, saying Banyana Banyana cannot afford anything less than a victory, as a draw or defeat would end their hopes of progressing to the quarterfinals.

“Our last game is important, just like every other game in the group,” Dlamini said.

“We just have to make sure we do our best in this one to give ourselves the best chance of qualifying for the quarterfinals because that is what we want to achieve.

“We want to qualify for the quarterfinals so that we can make our country proud and make ourselves, everyone supporting us back home and everyone else proud. It is a game we can’t afford to draw or lose. We need to win it, and we need a convincing performance.”

South Africa has never failed to qualify from a WAFCON group stage since 2002.