Sasol Banyana Banyana’s bid to reclaim the CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON 2026) title ended in a 2-1 quarter-final defeat to hosts Morocco at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat, Morocco, on Saturday, 8 August 2026.
Head coach Dr Desiree Ellis watched her side control the opening half-hour before Sakina Ouzraoui broke the deadlock for the Atlas Lionesses in the 31st minute. Morocco were awarded a penalty early in the second half and Hanane Ait El Haj converted from the spot in the 51st minute.
The 2022 African champions responded in the manner that has defined their campaign. Thembi Kgatlana pulled a goal back in the 67th minute for her third of the tournament, and South Africa laid siege to the Moroccan goal thereafter, going closest in the dying minutes before the hosts held on.
“For the first 35 minutes we were in control until we conceded, we had played well until that moment. Conceding that penalty just after half time put us back where we had to restart, but then we started playing again and got the goal and had them on the backfoot for a very long time. They hardly threatened our goal.”
“But I can be very proud of the team, we knew how important this game was and I think everybody that stepped onto the field can be proud that they gave everything.”
Sasol Banyana Banyana Head Coach, Dr Desiree Ellis
“We wanted to go this route (World Cup) but unfortunately, it’s past now, we’re thinking already of the next game coming up,” said Ellis. “We are getting ready to prepare for that, we can’t cry over spilt milk at the moment, but I can be very proud, and I think the people back home can be very proud of the team’s performance.”
The defeat denies South Africa the automatic qualification for the FIFA Women’s World Cup that the four semi-finalists earn, but the route to Brazil in 2027 remains open. Banyana Banyana return to action in Casablanca on Thursday, 13 August 2026 against Nigeria, who were beaten 1-0 by Cameroon in their own quarter-final, with a place in the intercontinental play-offs at stake.
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“I think many people did not give us a chance but tonight we showed what we are capable of, tonight we showed what we can do. We started slowly in the tournament in getting our momentum but tonight was a game that could have gone either way, they got the two chances and they scored the goals,” added Ellis.
“Their keeper made a fantastic save towards the end which would have taken the game into extra time. And this is what this team is all about, they never give up until the final whistle, we just ran out of minutes in the end because I felt that in the last 15 minutes they (Morocco) were tiring,” said Ellis.
“I also want to congratulate Morocco for qualifying for the World Cup, but we are not out of it completely.”
The campaign began with a 2-1 defeat to Tanzania, before a two-goal fightback earned a 2-2 draw with Côte d’Ivoire and Kgatlana’s winner against Burkina Faso secured second place in Group B and passage to the last eight.
Elsewhere in the knockout round, Cameroon ended Nigeria’s title defence in Casablanca to book a semi-final against Morocco in Rabat on Wednesday, while Côte d’Ivoire met Algeria and Ghana faced tournament debutants Malawi in the other quarter-finals.
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“The result may not have gone our way on the night, but it does not diminish the immense pride we have in the Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana. They fought with courage, determination and heart until the final whistle, demonstrating once again what it means to represent South Africa on the continental stage,” said Dean Somerset, Manager: Group Brand and Sponsorships at Sasol.
The Sasol Banyana Banyana WAFCON 2026 Campaign
Mon 27 July: South Africa 1-2 Tanzania
Fri 31 July: South Africa 2-2 Côte d’Ivoire
Tue 4 August: South Africa 1-0 Burkina Faso
Quarter-Final- Saturday, 8 August: Morocco 2-1 South Africa
World Cup Qualifier- Thursday, 13 August: South Africa vs. Nigeria (Casablanca)
South Africa Starting XI
1 Kaylin Swart (Goalkeeper)
3 Bongeka Gamede
5 Fikile Magama
7 Karabo Dhlamini
13 Bambanani Mbane
15 Refiloe Jane (Captain)
6 Noxolo Cesane
10 Linda Motlhalo
22 Amogelang Motau
11 Thembi Kgatlana
8 Hildah Magaia
South Africa Bench
Andile Dlamini (Goalkeeper)
Kebotseng Moletsane (Goalkeeper)
Robyn Moodaly-Salgado
Khutso Pila
Asanda Hadebe
Lonathemba Mhlongo
Nthabiseng Majiya
Zoe October
Ronnel Donnelly
Isabella Ludwig
Gabriela Moodaly-Salgado
Nonhlanhla Mthandi
Sibulele Holweni
Lebohang Ramalepe
Antonia Maponya
Morocco Starting XI
Khadija Er-Rmichi (Goalkeeper)
Hanane Ait El Haj
Nouhaila Benzina
Maryame Atiq
Zineb Redouani
Élodie Nahla Nakkach
Fatima Tagnaout
Ghizlane Chebbak (Captain)
Sakina Ouzraoui
Sanaa Mssoudy
Yasmin Katie M’rabet
Original Copy: SAFA, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: The Atlas Lionesses forward Najat Badri eyes the ball at the feet of Banyana Banyana no. 10 Linda Motlhalo, during their quarter-final at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat, Morocco, on Saturday, 8 August 2026. Photo: SAFA
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