South Africa bow out to Morocco as Ellis praises players after quarter-final defeat

South Africa were knocked out of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2026 after losing 2-1 to hosts Morocco in the quarter-finals on Saturday evening, although coach Desiree Ellis said her players had given everything in a match she felt could have gone either way.

Morocco took control of the tie through goals from Sakina Ouzraoui and Hanane Ait El Haj, with one scored in each half. The Banyana Banyana responded through Thembi Kgatlana and pushed hard for an equaliser in the closing stages, but ran out of time before they could force extra time.

Ellis said South Africa had been the dominant side for much of the opening period before Morocco broke the deadlock.

“For the first 35 minutes, we dominated the match until we conceded a goal,” she said.

“We had played well up to that point. The penalty we conceded just after half-time forced us to start again from scratch, but we then regained control of the match, scored and put the opposition under pressure for a long period.”

The South Africa coach felt Morocco had created little apart from the two goals, while praising the determination shown by her squad after they fell behind.

“They barely threatened our goal. I am very proud of the team. We knew how important this match was and I think every player who stepped on to the pitch can be proud of having given everything. We wanted to go all the way to the World Cup, but unfortunately, that is over,” Ellis said.

Despite the disappointment, Ellis insisted her side would quickly turn its attention to its next fixture rather than dwell on the defeat.

“We are already thinking about the next match. We are preparing for it actively. There is no point feeling sorry for ourselves at the moment, but I am very proud, and I think our supporters can be too, of the team’s performance,” she added.

South Africa had struggled to find their rhythm earlier in the tournament, according to Ellis, but she believed their display against Morocco showed their ability to compete at the highest level.

“I think many people did not believe in us, but tonight we showed what we are capable of. We struggled to find our rhythm in this tournament, but tonight the match could have gone either way,” she said.

“They had two chances and they scored. Their goalkeeper made a fantastic save at the end, which would have allowed us to take the match into extra time. That is what characterises this team: it never gives up until the final whistle.

“We simply ran out of time at the end because I felt Morocco were beginning to tire during the final quarter of an hour.”

Ellis also congratulated Morocco on securing qualification for the World Cup, while saying South Africa’s campaign was not yet entirely over.

“I would also like to congratulate Morocco on qualifying for the World Cup, but we are not eliminated yet,” she said.