Banyana Banyana rescue late draw against Ivory Coast to keep Wafcon hopes alive

Banyana Banyana scored twice in the closing stages to secure a 2-2 draw with Ivory Coast in Casablanca on Friday night, keeping their hopes of reaching the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations knockout stage alive.

Experienced striker Hildah Magaia struck from close range in the ninth minute of added time to complete a dramatic comeback and earn South Africa a valuable point in their second Group B match.

The result leaves Banyana’s prospects of progressing dependent in part on the outcome of the group’s other fixture between Tanzania and Burkina Faso, which kicked off later on Friday.

South Africa will complete their group campaign against Burkina Faso on Tuesday, having been forced to recover from another difficult start after losing 2-1 to Tanzania in their opening match on Monday night.

Coach Desiree Ellis made three changes to her starting line-up for the meeting with Ivory Coast. Kaylin Swart replaced Andile Dlamini in goal, while Fikile Magama came into the defence in place of Lebohang Ramalepe. Nthabiseng Majiya was also selected, with Magaia initially dropping to the bench.

The changes did not prevent South Africa from falling behind as Ivory Coast attacker Grace Sery punished them twice in the first half.

Sery opened the scoring in the 18th minute before doubling Ivory Coast’s advantage eight minutes before half-time. Banyana struggled to settle during the opening period and went into the interval facing the prospect of a second consecutive defeat.

However, South Africa produced a determined response after the break, with star striker Thembi Kgatlana beginning their revival after 84 minutes.

Kgatlana found the net with a curling effort to reduce the deficit and give Banyana renewed momentum in the closing stages.

Magaia then appeared to have brought South Africa level in the 94th minute, but the goal was disallowed. The striker was not to be denied, though, and returned to score from close range several minutes later.

Her late finish secured a 2-2 draw and ensured Banyana remain in contention, although their route into the knockout stage will become clearer only after the other Group B result and their final match against Burkina Faso.

South Africa’s need for a result against Burkina Faso follows their disappointing opening-night defeat by Tanzania. That loss had put immediate pressure on Ellis’s side, making Friday’s recovery particularly important.

Despite conceding twice to Sery, Banyana showed enough attacking threat in the second half to take something from the contest. Kgatlana’s individual quality and Magaia’s persistence ultimately changed the outcome, preserving South Africa’s hopes in the tournament.