Kgatlana hails Banyana Banyana’s fighting spirit after WAFCON quarter-final qualification

Banyana Banyana forward Thembi Kgatlana credited South Africa’s resilience after her goal secured a 1-0 victory over Burkina Faso and sent the 2022 champions into the quarter-finals of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.

Kgatlana scored the only goal of the decisive Group B match at the Moulay Rachid Stadium on Tuesday, a result that revived South Africa’s campaign after they had started the game at the bottom of the group.

Their progress was confirmed when Ivory Coast beat Tanzania 2-0 in the other Group B fixture. The combination of results left Banyana Banyana in second place on four points and through to the knockout stage.

South Africa will play hosts Morocco on Saturday, with the match carrying two major rewards. Victory would take Banyana Banyana into the semi-finals and also secure one of Africa’s four automatic places at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Kgatlana said the result reflected the collective effort of the squad rather than the contribution of one player.

“It was a really great team effort,” Kgatlana told CAF TV after the game.

“I think in the history of South African football, this team always comes back to perform. And we knew how much it was important for us to first get this victory, and then we’ll see everything that comes from it.”

The forward’s decisive finish was her second goal of the tournament and earned her the Player of the Match award. Kgatlana, who plays for Tigres UANL Femenil, said the recognition had helped restore her confidence after a slow start to the competition.

“For me, it’s a boost personally,” added Kgatlana.

“I started slow with the tournament it’s the third game and I think I’m getting my momentum.

“And thanks to my teammates, I don’t think I would be here today if it wasn’t for them for their encouragement all the challenges and difficulties we face every day in training. And this belongs to them more than it belongs to me.”

Kgatlana’s comments came after a match in which South Africa knew they had to win to keep their hopes of progressing alive. The victory, combined with Ivory Coast’s result against Tanzania, allowed Banyana Banyana to finish above Burkina Faso and move into the last eight.

The quarter-final against Morocco will therefore determine both South Africa’s route to the semi-finals and whether they qualify automatically for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup. The tournament’s four African World Cup places will be awarded to the semi-finalists.

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