South Africa seek redemption against Ivory Coast as Women’s AFCON group reaches critical stage

South Africa’s title defence is already under severe pressure as the Banyana Banyana face a pivotal Women’s Africa Cup of Nations group match against Ivory Coast in Casablanca on Friday.

The 2022 champions were stunned 2-1 by Tanzania in their Group B opener and head into their second fixture knowing that another defeat would leave them on the brink of a shock early exit from the 2026 tournament.

Ivory Coast, by contrast, can all but secure a place in the quarter-finals with victory. Reynald Pedros’ side began with a commanding 4-1 win over Burkina Faso and are aiming to take full control of the group with a second successive success.

Avoiding hosts Morocco in the last eight is an additional incentive for the Ivorians. Topping the group would likely spare them a quarter-final against the home nation, a route seen as crucial for any side harbouring ambitions of reaching the semi-finals.

A place in the last four comes with an even greater prize: automatic qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil. That target adds further weight to Friday’s fixtures in Casablanca, where all four Group B teams return to action.

South Africa v Ivory Coast in Casablanca test

South Africa meet Ivory Coast at Stade Moulay Rachid in Casablanca at 17:00 GMT (18:00 local time), with Desiree Ellis’s players under intense scrutiny after their opening setback.

Having been tipped as favourites to progress from the group, the Banyana Banyana were undone by Tanzania’s Twiga Stars, whose 2-1 victory has reshaped the dynamics of the section.

South Africa now face an Ivory Coast team high on confidence and looking to “make the break” in qualification terms. A win for Pedros’ side would leave them with one foot in the quarter-finals and in a strong position to secure top spot going into the final round of group matches.

Burkina Faso fighting to stay alive

In the later kick-off, Burkina Faso attempt to keep their campaign alive when they face Tanzania at Stade Larbi Zaouli in Casablanca at 20:00 GMT (21:00 local time).

The Etalons Dames sit bottom of the group after their heavy defeat to Ivory Coast and approach their second outing in what has effectively become a must-not-lose contest. Anything less than a positive result would leave Burkina Faso facing an almost impossible task to reach the knockout phase.

Their opponents, however, arrive with the momentum of one of the early shocks of the tournament. Tanzania’s Twiga Stars, buoyed by their win over South Africa, know that a second victory would seal their passage to the quarter-finals with a game to spare.

Confirmation of qualification on Friday would represent a remarkable achievement for Tanzania, who started the competition as outsiders in a group featuring the defending champions and an Ivory Coast side with clear ambitions of challenging deep into the tournament.

As Group B reaches its halfway point, the two fixtures in Casablanca promise to go a long way towards deciding not only who progresses, but who keeps alive the broader dream of reaching the 2027 Women’s World Cup.