WAFCON 2026: South Africa duo Ludwig and Kgatlana ready to spoil Morocco’s home party

South Africa have quickly turned their attention to a heavyweight Women’s Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final against hosts Morocco, with Isabella Ludwig and Thembi Kgatlana insisting Banyana Banyana are building momentum at the perfect time.

The defending champions booked their place in the last eight with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Burkina Faso on Tuesday, finishing second in Group B after a difficult start to their title defence.

The reward is a mouthwatering showdown with Morocco in Rabat on Saturday, a repeat of the 2022 WAFCON final that South Africa won 2-1 to lift their maiden continental crown. This time, however, the hosts are expected to enjoy home advantage and enter the contest as slight favourites.

Ludwig pleased with progress

Midfielder Isabella Ludwig believes qualification was the most important objective after South Africa recovered from an opening defeat to keep their title hopes alive.

“I think the most important thing is that we qualified for the quarter-finals. It was a tough game and became a little scrappy towards the end, but the main thing is that we are through.”

The 23-year-old, who made her first start of the tournament against Burkina Faso, admitted there is still room for improvement but feels the team is heading in the right direction.

“Now it is about rectifying our mistakes and making sure we keep progressing in the tournament.”

Ludwig also reflected positively on her own display despite missing several opportunities in front of goal.

“I’m really happy that I was able to start the game. It would have been even better if I had scored because I had a few opportunities that I should have put away.”

The Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder is hopeful she can carry that performance into the knockout stages as South Africa chase another deep run.

Kgatlana urges focus on the bigger prize

Veteran forward Thembi Kgatlana once again proved decisive, scoring the only goal against Burkina Faso to send Banyana into the quarter-finals.

The experienced attacker acknowledged South Africa’s slow start to the tournament but believes the squad has found its rhythm at the right moment.

“Sometimes football gives you what it gives you.”

“As a team, we started the tournament slowly, but we began to build momentum in the last game.”

Kgatlana stressed that tournament football often demands resilience over flair, pointing to the importance of grinding out victories when performances are less than perfect.

“The game is not always about playing beautiful tactical football. Sometimes you have to get the three points and move forward, and that is what we needed as a team.”

With a place in the semi-finals also guaranteeing qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil, Kgatlana says the immediate priority is recovery before facing Morocco.

“The most important thing now is to recover and make sure we arrive at the quarter-finals fresh.”

Having already overcome the hosts once in a WAFCON final, South Africa will hope experience and renewed confidence can propel them into another semi-final, while Morocco look to use home support to avenge the heartbreak of four years ago.