Banyana Banyana are on their way to Morocco. The South African senior women’s national team departs this Saturday to step up preparations for the CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, where the 2022 African champions will once again look to make their mark on the continental stage.
The tournament runs in Morocco from 26 July to 16 August 2026, and South Africa have been drawn in Group B alongside Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso and Tanzania, according to the South African Football Association (SAFA), as reported by SAnews.
Momentum on Their Side
The squad travels with real momentum behind them. Sasol Banyana Banyana have climbed to 57th in the FIFA world rankings, up one place, on the back of a memorable 1-0 victory over Japan in an away international friendly in June 2026.
“Sasol Banyana Banyana have moved up one place to 57th on the FIFA rankings, following their 1-0 win against Japan in an international friendly match played away from home in June 2026. Coach Dr Desiree Ellis’s charges are second on the CAF rankings behind leaders Nigeria,” SAFA said.
That second place on the African rankings tells its own story: this is a team that has become a fixture at the top of the continental game, and one that arrives in Morocco as a genuine contender.
Ellis Fine-Tunes Her Squad
Head coach Dr Desiree Ellis, the architect of South Africa’s historic 2022 WAFCON triumph, will name her final tournament squad on Friday. Her players have been in camp since 12 July, fine-tuning their preparations for another tilt at continental glory.
The camp has given Ellis time to settle combinations and sharpen the team’s rhythm before the group stage kicks off. With a favourable draw and a settled technical team, the foundations for a strong campaign are firmly in place.
The Road Through Group B
The group stage will ask different questions of the champions. Ivory Coast bring physicality and tournament experience, Burkina Faso arrive as an improving side with little to lose, and Tanzania have steadily built one of East Africa’s most organised teams. Navigating that trio will demand the focus and depth that Ellis has spent the July camp building, and the final squad announcement on Friday will show exactly which combination of experience and youth she trusts to do it.
A Nation Behind Them
When Banyana Banyana lifted the trophy in 2022, they brought the country to its feet and inspired a generation of young footballers. Four years on, the team has kept building: rising in the world rankings, beating elite opposition like Japan, and holding their place among Africa’s very best.
As the team boards the plane to Morocco, they carry with them the hopes of a footballing nation that has learned to expect big things from its women’s team. Group B awaits, and Banyana Banyana are ready.
Photo: commons.wikimedia.org
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