Banyana Banyana target World Cup play-off place after Morocco defeat

Banyana Banyana must recover quickly from their Women’s Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final defeat by Morocco if they are to keep their hopes of reaching the 2027 Women’s World Cup alive.

South Africa lost 2-1 to the hosts at Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat on Saturday, a result which ended their Wafcon title campaign and removed their opportunity to qualify directly for the global tournament in Brazil.

Their World Cup ambitions are not over, however. Banyana Banyana can still qualify by claiming one of the three places available through next February’s inter-continental play-offs.

Before they can reach that stage, South Africa must win a continental play-off match on Thursday night against either Cameroon or Nigeria.

Defender Bongeka Gamede said the disappointment of the quarter-final defeat must provide the motivation for the team to respond positively in their next match.

“It’s definitely not over,” a dejected Gamede said. “We have another opportunity this week. This heartbreak should motivate us so we don’t feel like this after the play-offs. We are going into the next game focused, knowing the dream is still alive.”

Gamede was speaking in the post-match mixed zone at El Hassan after South Africa’s defeat by Morocco. She acknowledged the pain of falling short in the knockout stage but insisted the team still had a clear route towards the World Cup.

The immediate priority is now the continental play-off, with victory required to maintain their path towards the inter-continental stage. South Africa’s players will have to regroup within a short period after their quarter-final exit and restore confidence before Thursday’s fixture.

Banyana Banyana have qualified for the last two Women’s World Cups, held in France and Australia/New Zealand. Those appearances helped several members of the squad secure moves to clubs overseas, including Gamede, who now plays in Denmark.

The defender believes the players based abroad have an important role to play in reminding their team-mates in South Africa of what World Cup qualification can mean.

“I think the players who are playing at home need this kind of motivation from the overseas-based players. They need to tell them that “we can still make it”,” Gamede explained.

That message will be central to South Africa’s preparations as they attempt to turn the frustration of their Wafcon exit into renewed determination. A place in the inter-continental play-offs remains within reach, but only if they first overcome either Cameroon or Nigeria.

The quarter-final loss brought an end to Banyana Banyana’s hopes of lifting the continental title on home soil for the competition’s hosts, but it did not eliminate their chance of reaching Brazil in 2027. Their route is now more demanding, with the next match carrying the consequences of ending or extending their World Cup campaign.

Mihlali Baleka is covering the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco for IOL, courtesy of Banyana Banyana’s premier sponsor, Sasol.