South Africa set up Wafcon quarter-final against Morocco after narrow Burkina Faso win

South Africa reached the knockout stage of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Burkina Faso in Casablanca on Tuesday night.

Banyana Banyana will now face hosts Morocco in the quarter-finals in Rabat on Saturday, with a place in the semi-finals and qualification for the 2027 Fifa World Cup in Brazil at stake.

The result at Stade Moulay Rachid secured South Africa’s progress from Group B after a campaign in which they had been under pressure. They had lost to Tanzania and drawn with Ivory Coast in their opening matches, leaving coach Desiree Ellis and her players needing a strong finish to their group-stage schedule.

South Africa had to beat Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast and collect all three points from their match against Tanzania. That is how the group was settled in Casablanca, with Banyana’s victory complemented by Ivory Coast’s 2-1 win over Tanzania in the other Group B fixture at Stade Larbi Zaouli.

The outcome saw South Africa finish second behind Ivory Coast on four points. However, their performance against Burkina Faso, although much improved from their earlier displays at the tournament, leaves them needing to raise their level again in the next round.

Ellis responded to the pressure by selecting a side that included several of South Africa’s most experienced players. Kaylin Swart, Bambanani Mbane, Refiloe Jane, Linda Motlhalo, Hildah Magaia, Noxolo Cesane and Thembi Kgatlana all started the decisive match.

South Africa made their greater control count after 21 minutes. Kgatlana gave Banyana the lead by meeting a defence-splitting pass from Fikile Magama, with the forward finishing the move to put her side ahead.

Burkina Faso were unable to find an equaliser as South Africa protected their advantage and secured the result required to move into the last eight.

The match also brought two personal milestones. Magaia reached an individual landmark during the game, while substitute Gabriela Moodaly-Salgado made her 50th appearance for the national team after coming on in the second half.

South Africa’s reward is a quarter-final against Morocco, who will have home support behind them in Rabat. The match will determine who advances to the semi-finals, while also carrying major significance for the countries competing for a place at the 2027 Fifa World Cup in Brazil.

For Ellis and Banyana Banyana, the immediate task is to build on the improvement shown against Burkina Faso. They finished the group stage behind Ivory Coast and must produce another step forward if they are to overcome the hosts and continue their Wafcon campaign.