Sports Desk Reporter
Banyana Banyana have their first chance to book a place at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup when they meet Morocco in the WAFCON quarterfinals today.
The winner at Rabat’s Moulay el Hassan Stadium will qualify automatically for the tournament in Brazil. Kick-off is at 22h00.
It is a difficult assignment for South Africa, with Morocco unbeaten in the tournament so far. The hosts have won two of their three matches and are yet to concede.
Banyana’s campaign has been less straightforward. They came through Group B with one win, one draw and one defeat.
Coach Desiree Ellis believes that experience has prepared her players for another demanding contest.
“We came out of a tough situation in our group; we know how big this game is because we are playing the hosts with fans in the stadium, but we can only control what we can control,” Ellis said.
The stakes are clear for both teams, with a World Cup place on offer to the winner.
“I don’t think anyone needs any motivation as the winner goes directly to the World Cup, and it is a big moment for both teams,” Ellis said.
South Africa will also draw confidence from their record against Morocco. Banyana beat the hosts in the 2022 WAFCON final in Rabat and won their latest meeting in a friendly last November.
Ellis is not relying on that history.
“This is a once-off game, one that says who wants it more. Past results don’t matter in this match,” she said.
Defender Karabo Dhlamini expects the occasion to bring out the best in both sides.
“We all are aware that it’s not going to be an easy game and we are glad we got Morocco because these are the games that we like to play,” Dhlamini said.
She believes the opportunity to reach the World Cup will be especially important for the younger members of the squad.
The other quarterfinals will see Cameroon play Nigeria, Ivory Coast face Algeria, and Mali take on Ghana.
The four teams reaching the semifinals will secure automatic World Cup qualification. The four quarterfinal losers will have another route through the qualifying play-offs.
Government has urged South Africans to get behind Banyana Banyana as they face Morocco in the quarterfinal.
It called on supporters to celebrate the team’s progress and recognise the courage, determination and resilience they have shown throughout the tournament.
South Africans have also been encouraged to show their support by wearing Banyana Banyana jerseys, national colours or other symbols of national pride.
Government said support for the team can be shown at home, at work or in public spaces as Banyana continue their push for World Cup qualification.