Dhlamini says Morocco face toughest test yet against Banyana Banyana

South Africa defender Karabo Dhlamini believes Morocco’s unbeaten defensive record will face its “ultimate test” when the hosts meet Banyana Banyana in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final at Rabat’s Moulay El Hassan Stadium on Saturday.

The match, which kicks off at 22:00 South African time, is a repeat of the 2022 final, when Banyana Banyana defeated Morocco 2-1 to win their first and only Wafcon title.

Morocco have reached the knockout stage without conceding a goal, while South Africa allowed four goals during a difficult group-stage campaign. However, Dhlamini insists the hosts’ clean sheet record does not make them favourites.

“We know Morocco haven’t conceded, and we feel like they haven’t been tested,” Dhlamini said at a press conference at the stadium on Friday afternoon.

Morocco began their Group A campaign with a 4-0 victory over Kenya before edging past Algeria 1-0. They completed their group fixtures with a goalless draw against Senegal, becoming the only team still to have kept a clean sheet in the tournament.

The hosts were beaten by Nigeria in last year’s final, but have responded with another strong run on home soil and will be looking to avenge their defeat by South Africa in the previous final.

Banyana Banyana, by contrast, had to fight until the final round of Group B matches to secure their place in the last eight.

They opened the competition with a 2-1 defeat by Tanzania, before drawing 2-2 with Ivory Coast. A narrow 1-0 win over Burkina Faso in their final group match kept their qualification hopes alive.

South Africa also required help from Ivory Coast, who beat Tanzania in a simultaneous final group fixture on Wednesday. That result ensured Banyana Banyana progressed to the quarter-finals.

Dhlamini, who can operate at left-back and plays for Mamelodi Sundowns, said the team had already put its unconvincing group-stage displays behind it.

“The group stage wasn’t easy, but that’s the past now. Our focus is on the next stage,” she said.

The quarter-final represents a crucial opportunity for both sides beyond the prospect of reaching the semi-finals. The four semi-finalists at this Wafcon will qualify for next year’s World Cup in Brazil.

The four teams beaten in the quarter-finals will still have a route to the global tournament, but must compete for two CAF places in the intercontinental play-offs.

South Africa will therefore be aiming to reproduce the performance that secured their 2022 continental title, while Morocco will rely on their unbeaten defensive record and home support as they attempt to reach the semi-finals.

The match is being covered in Rabat by Ndebele, courtesy of Banyana Banyana’s premier sponsor, Sasol.

This story’s audio was generated using AI.

Sowetan