Mthandi confident battle-tested Banyana Banyana can overcome Morocco

South Africa midfielder Nonhlanhla Mthandi believes Banyana Banyana’s difficult group-stage campaign has strengthened their resolve ahead of a high-stakes WAFCON quarter-final against hosts Morocco.

Banyana Banyana secured their place in the last eight after an eventful group campaign in Casablanca. They lost to Tanzania, drew with Ivory Coast and ended the group stage with a victory over Burkina Faso.

That inconsistent run meant South Africa’s progress depended on the outcome of another match. Their hopes were confirmed when Ivory Coast beat Tanzania, known as the Twiga Stars, in the final group fixture. The result saw Ivory Coast finish top of the group, with South Africa advancing in second place.

Banyana Banyana will now meet Morocco at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium on Saturday night, with kick-off at 22:00 SAST. The match will be played in front of a home crowd expected to fill the stands with red in support of the Atlas Lionesses.

South Africa go into the tie with confidence from their recent record against Morocco. Banyana Banyana defeated the hosts in the 2022 WAFCON final, which was also played on Moroccan soil, raising hopes that they can repeat that success.

Mthandi recognises the scale of the challenge but believes South Africa’s experience of important matches, supported by sponsor Sasol, can help them handle the occasion.

“Morocco is a very good team,” Mthandi noted. “We can’t underestimate them. We know it will be a competitive game. Sometimes you need to play the best to gauge where you are as a team.

“I think it’s a final before the final. It will be a great game that brings a real rush of adrenaline. Ultimately, it comes down to why we do this. These are the moments that define us: working hard and fighting.”

The midfielder also feels Banyana Banyana’s unconvincing start to the tournament has helped prepare them for the pressure of the knockout stages. She believes the team must maintain its intensity if it is to finish the competition strongly.

“Personally, I feel we needed that. How we started was not ideal, but it kept us on our toes,” Mthandi said. “It comes down to the saying that it’s not about how you start, but how you finish.

“With our experience, those early results keep you alert and remind you that anything is possible. You just need to keep giving 100%. That pushed us to where we are now and where we want to be.”

The quarter-final presents another demanding test for a South Africa side that has already had to fight for its place in the knockout phase. Mthandi says those group-stage difficulties have made the squad more resilient and should ensure they are ready for the intensity of facing Morocco on home territory.

The contest is expected to be one of the most eagerly anticipated matches of the tournament, with South Africa aiming to draw on its experience of defeating Morocco in the previous WAFCON final.

Mihlali Baleka is covering WAFCON in Morocco for IOL, courtesy of Banyana Banyana’s chief sponsor, Sasol.