Banyana Banyana turn to mental resilience in Nigeria World Cup play-off

South Africa will rely on the experience of Lebohang Ramalepe and Thembi Kgatlana when they face Nigeria in a crucial World Cup play-off on Thursday.

Banyana Banyana’s hopes of reaching the 2027 World Cup remain alive despite their disappointing campaign at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. Victory against their long-standing rivals at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Casablanca is the first step in a demanding route to qualification.

South Africa entered the tournament as one of the favourites and ranked second in Africa. However, their slow start in the group stage raised doubts about their chances of defending the continental title they won in Morocco four years ago.

They eventually reached the knockout phase but failed to secure a direct place at the World Cup after losing 2-1 to the hosts, the Atlas Lionesses, in the quarter-finals.

That defeat, combined with instability within the squad, has left Banyana needing to negotiate an unfamiliar continental play-off before they can turn their attention to the intercontinental play-offs later this year and in February.

Ramalepe, one of the senior figures in the side, said South Africa must show composure and determination if they are to make the most of their second opportunity to reach the global tournament, which will be hosted in Brazil.

“What is required is mental strength,” Ramalepe said. “As a team, we need to be clear about what we want. If we approach the next match with that mental strength, all is not lost. We need to remain mentally sharp and treat the game like a final.”

The decision by coach Desiree Ellis to keep 16 players from the squad that lifted the Wafcon trophy in Morocco four years ago has attracted considerable criticism.

Some observers have questioned whether the team’s established core still has the same desire and argued that the squad needs greater evolution and freshness. Ramalepe, however, rejected the suggestion that South Africa’s poor performances were caused by a lack of hunger.

“It’s not that we aren’t hungry enough; we need to acknowledge that football has changed and many teams have improved. Many are matching our level,” Ramalepe said, “while others have surpassed us.”

Bambanani Mbane, another experienced member of the squad, also accepted that South Africa’s problems could not be attributed solely to the older players remaining at the centre of the team. She said responsibility for both the disappointing start and the early exit rested with the entire group.

“I think right from the start of the tournament, we didn’t do our best,” Mbane conceded. “It just wasn’t our time. We need to pull our socks up.”

Nigeria, known as the Super Falcons, will provide a difficult test. The two countries are familiar opponents, but the importance of Thursday’s meeting means Banyana will need to produce a more effective performance, particularly in attack.

Mbane said South Africa could not afford to waste opportunities against their arch-rivals.

“It’s going to be a tough game, but most importantly, we need to score goals. It won’t be easy,” Mbane said.

She urged the team to move on from the quarter-final disappointment and concentrate fully on the next stage of the qualification process.

“What happened is part of the game; there must be a winner and a loser. We just need to chin up and keep moving forward. There is nothing more we can do now than to press ahead and focus on the next game.”