South Africa stage dramatic late comeback to draw with Ivory Coast at WAFCON

South Africa recovered from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Ivory Coast at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations on Friday night, securing a point with the final kick of the match in Rabat.

Grace Sery gave Ivory Coast a commanding first-half lead with two goals, but Thembi Kgatlana pulled one back in the 71st minute before Hildah Magaia struck in the ninth minute of added time to complete Banyana Banyana’s comeback.

Desiree Ellis’ side had been looking for a response after losing 2-1 to Tanzania late on Monday, while Ivory Coast entered the Group B encounter with three points already secured after beating Burkina Faso in their opening fixture.

Ellis made one change to her starting XI, replacing Dlamini with Kaylin Swartz in goal. The alteration did little to settle South Africa in the early stages, however, as Ivory Coast quickly exposed gaps in the Banyana Banyana defence.

The opening goal arrived after 18 minutes. Ivory Coast broke forward at pace and Sery noticed that Swartz had moved away from her line. The forward took advantage of the opportunity, sending a long-range effort from outside the penalty area into the net.

South Africa struggled to find a response and fell further behind eight minutes before half-time. Sery again found space in behind the defence, moving through with ease before shooting beyond the advancing Swartz to complete her first-half double.

Kgatlana came closest to giving South Africa a lifeline before the break, but her effort was kept out by Ivory Coast goalkeeper Aramatou Diakite. It left Ellis’ team facing a difficult second half without having found a way to contain Sery or create enough regular openings of their own.

The South Africa manager attempted to change the course of the match shortly after the hour mark, introducing Lebogang Ramalepe and striker Ronnel Donnelly. Donnelly immediately offered a greater threat and caused problems for the Ivorian defence after coming on.

Kgatlana then produced the moment South Africa needed in the 71st minute. Cutting inside from the flank, she created room for herself before curling a powerful finish into the top corner, setting up a tense final 20 minutes.

Ivory Coast held on deep into stoppage time, but South Africa continued to push for an equaliser. Donnelly eventually created the opening, doing well to supply Magaia in the ninth minute of added time.

Magaia took the pass in her stride and volleyed beyond Diakite, rescuing a point for Banyana Banyana and completing a remarkable recovery from 2-0 down.

South Africa’s draw leaves them with a result to build on after their defeat by Tanzania, while Ivory Coast were denied a second successive victory in Group B despite holding a two-goal advantage for much of the contest.