Banyana Banyana’s WAFCON quarter-final hopes rest on final-day results

Bongiwe Gamede says Banyana Banyana still believe they can reach the quarter-finals of the WAFCON in Morocco, although their progress now depends partly on what happens in Ivory Coast’s final Group B match.

South Africa remain bottom of the group after drawing 2-2 with leaders Ivory Coast in Casablanca on Friday. The result followed a 2-1 defeat by underdogs Tanzania in their opening game, leaving Banyana Banyana needing a victory in their final pool fixture to keep their campaign alive.

Banyana Banyana will face Burkina Faso in Casablanca on Tuesday. They must win that match and also rely on Ivory Coast beating Tanzania in the other Group B fixture, which will be played at the same time.

“We know what we want to achieve as a team. We believe that we still have a chance… the door is still open for us to go to the quarterfinals,” Gamede said.

The South Africans have been handed a potential boost by Tanzania’s suspension and injury concerns ahead of the decisive match against Ivory Coast.

Tanzania will be without midfielder Hasnath Ubamba after she was sent off during her side’s 2-1 defeat by Burkina Faso on Friday. Ubamba was an important player in Tanzania’s victory over Banyana Banyana, scoring in the match that produced one of the tournament’s early shocks.

Tanzania could also be missing their leading striker, Opah Clement, who is a doubt after suffering an injury against Burkina Faso. The absence of both players would weaken Tanzania for their meeting with Ivory Coast and could improve Banyana Banyana’s chances of getting the result they need from the group.

Ivory Coast currently lead Group B, while Banyana Banyana’s draw with the group leaders was not enough to lift them from the bottom of the standings. Their position means they cannot qualify through their own result alone and must also hope Ivory Coast avoid defeat against Tanzania.

The quarter-final places will be decided when Tuesday’s matches conclude. For Banyana Banyana, the equation is clear: defeat Burkina Faso and hope Tanzania can take points from Ivory Coast.

The stakes extend beyond the WAFCON knockout stage. The four teams that reach the semi-finals of this tournament will qualify for next year’s World Cup in Brazil, making the final group fixtures significant for both continental progress and World Cup qualification.

Gamede’s confidence reflects Banyana Banyana’s belief that their campaign is not yet over, despite the difficult position created by their opening defeat and Friday’s draw. Their route to the last eight remains open, but it requires them to deliver against Burkina Faso and receive help from Ivory Coast’s result against Tanzania.