Morocco edge Banyana Banyana to reach WAFCON semi-finals and secure World Cup place

Hosts Morocco eliminated Banyana Banyana from the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations with a 2-1 quarter-final victory in Rabat on Saturday.

The result sent Morocco into the semi-finals and secured their qualification for next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup. They became the second African team to reach the last four, after Algeria defeated Ivory Coast in an earlier quarter-final.

South Africa made two changes to the team that beat Burkina Faso in their final group-stage match. Bongeka Gamede returned to the starting line-up, while Amogelang Motau made her first start of the tournament. Isabella Ludwig and Antonia Maponya moved to the bench.

The opening stages were closely contested, with neither side producing a clear opportunity during the first 10 minutes.

Banyana Banyana won a free-kick in the 13th minute after Karabo Dhlamini was fouled by Katie Mrabet. Captain Refiloe Jane delivered into the penalty area, but Morocco cleared the danger for a corner. Jane took the resulting set-piece as well, finding Bambanani Mbane, although the South African midfielder was unable to retain possession.

Morocco created the next notable chance six minutes later. Mrabet sent a cross towards Sanaa Mssoudy, whose header drifted wide of Kaylin Swart’s goal.

South Africa then came close after Thembi Kgatlana took advantage of a misplaced pass outside the Moroccan penalty area in the 21st minute. However, her effort went over the crossbar.

Morocco took the lead 10 minutes later. Hanane Ait El Haj noticed Swart had moved out of position before crossing for Sakina Ouzraoui, who finished from close range to put the hosts ahead. Morocco held that advantage until the interval.

Neither team made a change at half-time, but Morocco extended their lead within two minutes of the restart.

Noxolo Cesane brought down Moroccan captain Ghizlane Chebbak inside the penalty area, giving the hosts a spot-kick. Ait El Haj stepped up and converted in the 51st minute to make it 2-0.

Banyana Banyana reduced the deficit six minutes after the hour mark when Kgatlana turned in a cross from Dhlamini. The assistant referee initially ruled the effort out for offside, but a VAR review overturned the decision.

The goal was Kgatlana’s third of the tournament, with the forward also known as Pikinini. South Africa pushed for an equaliser and substitute Robyn Moodalay-Salgado had an opportunity in the 71st minute, but the Moroccan goalkeeper made the save.

Despite their defeat, Banyana Banyana still have a route to the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

South Africa will await the loser of the quarter-final between Cameroon and Nigeria for a place in the play-offs. The winner of that match, together with the winner of the fixture involving the other two quarter-final losers, will compete in the inter-continental play-offs for the final qualification place at the tournament in Brazil.