Continental Postal Services of Hebland

Banyana Banyana book Morocco quarterfinal after Burkina Faso win

Burkina Faso
Banyana Banyana book Morocco quarterfinal after Burkina Faso win

A composed South African display under pressure has secured Banyana Banyana a place in the quarterfinals of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), with Thembi Kgatlana’s first-half goal earning a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Burkina Faso in Casablanca on Tuesday night.

The result ensured the defending African champions progressed from Group B after collecting the three points they needed in their final group-stage fixture.

Match coverage from SuperSport highlighted that Kgatlana’s close-range finish in the 21st minute ultimately separated the two sides after Fikile Magama’s intelligent delivery unlocked the Burkina Faso defence.

South Africa’s evening did not begin without concern, as Burkina Faso showed early attacking intent and created a promising opportunity in the opening exchanges, but Banyana weathered the pressure before gradually finding their rhythm.

Isabella Ludwig came close to opening the scoring moments before the breakthrough, sending a header narrowly wide as South Africa grew into the contest.

Kgatlana eventually made the pressure count, calmly turning Magama’s assist into the net to hand South Africa the advantage, as the forward remained one of Banyana’s biggest attacking threats throughout the opening half and later came close to adding a second after a well-worked set-piece involving captain Refilwe Jane.

Watch below as Thembi Kgatlana celebrates after scoring the winning goal that sent Banyana Banyana into the WAFCON quarterfinals with a 1-0 victory over Burkina Faso in Casablanca.

SuperSport confirmed after the final whistle that Banyana will now meet tournament hosts Morocco in Saturday’s quarterfinal in Rabat.

The winner will move one step closer to continental glory and, with the 2026 WAFCON doubling as a qualifier for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil, a place in the semifinals would also secure qualification for the global showpiece.

SAFA President Dr Danny Jordaan congratulated the squad after their progression, as per the South African Football Association.

‘Well done, Banyana Banyana. We are fully behind you, and we are aware that one more victory will qualify us for the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil in 2027,’ said Jordaan.

Although Burkina Faso committed more players forward after the break in search of an equaliser, South Africa’s disciplined defensive display limited clear-cut chances and ensured the slender lead remained intact until the final whistle.

Elsewhere in Group B, Ivory Coast defeated Tanzania 2-1 to finish top of the standings with seven points. South Africa advanced as runners-up, while both Tanzania and Burkina Faso exited the competition despite ending the group stage with three points each.

The result also sets up one of the tournament’s standout quarterfinal fixtures, with Banyana preparing to face a Moroccan side buoyed by home support.

With the margins becoming increasingly fine as the tournament enters its decisive phase, South Africa will know that another composed performance could not only keep their continental title defence alive but also secure a coveted place at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Be the first to know – Join our WhatsApp Channel for content worth tapping into! Click here to join! 

Also read:

Hockey struggles for funding: McKenzie approves R3m financial aid for World Cup

Picture: iDiski Times/X



Credit: Source link

You might also like More from author
Leave A Reply

Your email address will not be published.