WeeklySA_AdminROAD AHEAD: Banyana Banyana face hosts Morocco in a do-or-die WAFCON quarter-final as eight African nations battle for four automatic places at Brazil 2027…
By WSAM Sports Reporter
BANYANA Banyana must overcome hosts Morocco and a fiercely partisan Rabat crowd tonight if they are to secure their place at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
The two continental heavyweights meet at the Moulay Hassan Stadium Saturday at 9pm in the headline encounter of the CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals.
At stake is far more than a place in the tournament’s last four. The winners will qualify automatically for next year’s global showpiece, while the losers will have to fight for one of Africa’s two berths in the inter-confederation Play-Off Tournament.
South Africa are chasing a third Women’s World Cup appearance after competing in France in 2019 and Australia and New Zealand in 2023. Morocco, who made their tournament debut in 2023 and reached the round of 16, are seeking a second successive appearance.
The showdown is also a repeat of the 2022 WAFCON final, when Banyana defeated Morocco 2–1 in Rabat to lift their first continental crown.
That triumph remains one of the finest moments in South African women’s football, but tonight’s assignment presents a very different challenge.
Banyana endured a difficult group campaign in Morocco. They suffered a shock 2–1 defeat to Tanzania in their opening match before fighting back from two goals down to draw 2–2 with Côte d’Ivoire.
A tense 1–0 victory over Burkina Faso in their final Group B match, secured by Thembi Kgatlana’s 21st-minute goal, was enough to carry the South Africans into the quarter-finals.
The performances have not always reached the level expected of the 2022 champions, but Banyana have shown resilience when placed under pressure. They will need that fighting spirit, defensive discipline and greater precision in front of goal against a Moroccan team enjoying strong home support.
Morocco emerged unbeaten from Group A, recording two victories and a goalless draw against Senegal. Their campaign included an emphatic 4–0 win over Kenya, with experienced striker Ibtissam Jraidi again central to their attacking threat.
The hosts have reached the final of the past two WAFCON tournaments and will be determined to avenge their 2022 defeat. For Banyana, however, the memories of winning the title on Moroccan soil should provide confidence that the hosts can be beaten in their own backyard.
South Africa will look to Kgatlana and Hildah Magaia for the attacking inspiration needed to unlock the Moroccan defence. Goalkeeper Andile Dlamini and the back line, meanwhile, face the task of silencing Jraidi and keeping the home crowd from taking control of the occasion.
The quarter-final action begins Saturday when Côte d’Ivoire face Algeria at the Moulay Rachid Stadium in Casablanca.
Algeria are seeking their first qualification for the Women’s World Cup after finishing second behind Morocco in Group A. Marine Dafeur, who scored twice during the group phase, will be one of their key attacking weapons.
Côte d’Ivoire are attempting to return to the global tournament for the first time since their debut in 2015. They reached the last eight unbeaten after recording two victories and a draw, with three-goal Ines Konan among the standout players of the tournament.
Sunday’s first quarter-final brings together two of the continent’s traditional powers as Cameroon meet record champions Nigeria in Casablanca.
Cameroon topped Group D, inspired by in-form forward Marie Ngah Manga, who scored three times in two matches. They are chasing a third World Cup appearance after qualifying in 2015 and 2019.
Nigeria, by contrast, have appeared at every Women’s World Cup since the inaugural tournament in 1991. But the nine-time African champions have looked vulnerable in Morocco, finishing second in Group C after a surprise 3–2 defeat to Malawi. The Super Falcons recovered to beat Zambia 1–0 and Egypt 6–2, but Cameroon will draw encouragement from their inconsistent group-stage campaign.
History nevertheless favours Nigeria. The teams have met 13 times at WAFCON since 1998, with the Super Falcons winning nine, drawing three and losing only once. The quarter-final programme concludes Sunday when tournament debutants Malawi face Ghana in Rabat.
Malawi have been one of the revelations of the competition, finishing above Nigeria and Zambia in Group C. Sisters Temwa and Tabitha Chawinga have led their charge, scoring five goals between them. The southern Africans now stand just one victory away from a historic first Women’s World Cup appearance, while Ghana are seeking a return to the global stage after last qualifying in 2007.
By the end of the weekend, four African nations will have booked their tickets to Brazil. For the four defeated sides, the World Cup dream will remain alive—but through the far more hazardous route of the play-offs.
For Banyana Banyana, the objective could not be clearer: beat Morocco, return to the WAFCON semi-finals and secure another date with the world’s best.
