Banyana Banyana Seal WAFCON 2026 Spot
Banyana Banyana are heading to the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco after a tense 1-0 victory over the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in the second leg of their final-round qualifier at Dobsonville Stadium.
South Africa’s best striker, Thembi Kgatlana heroically perused the ball after a defensive blunder on the visitor’s end and scored the goal on extra time.
The result secured a 2-1 aggregate and kept South Africa’s continental dreams alive.
Playing in front of a raucous home crowd, the former African champions started on the front foot. A well-worked move in the first half saw the ball break kindly in the box, and a clinical finish gave Banyana the lead they would defend with grit and discipline. The DRC pushed late, but resolute defending and smart game management saw the hosts through.
The tie had begun with a 1-1 draw in Kinshasa six days earlier, where an away goal proved golden.
Assistant coach Thinasonke Mbuli led the team in the absence of head coach Desiree Ellis, whose contract talks with SAFA remain ongoing. Yet the players rose to the occasion, showing the character that made them champions in 2022.
Congratulations, South Africa!
Banyana Banyana have done the nation proud once again.