Two goals down and staring at an early exit, Banyana Banyana produced the kind of fightback that has made them one of Africa’s most admired teams. South Africa’s women’s national side roared back to snatch a precious 2-2 draw against Cote d’Ivoire in their CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON 2026) Group B clash at the Moulay Rachid Stadium in Casablanca on Friday evening, according to SAnews.
A comeback built on belief
The stakes could hardly have been higher. After a narrow 2-1 defeat to Tanzania in their opening match on Monday, Banyana Banyana knew that another loss would leave their campaign hanging by a thread. When Cote d’Ivoire surged into a two-goal lead, a lesser team might have folded.
Instead, the South Africans regrouped at the break and delivered a second-half display full of heart. Thembi Kgatlana and Hildah Magaia — two of the heroes of South Africa’s historic 2022 continental title triumph — each found the back of the net to haul their side level and secure a point that keeps the team firmly in the hunt.
All to play for against Burkina Faso
South Africa sit in Group B alongside Tanzania, Cote d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso, with the top two teams in each group progressing to the quarter-finals. That means qualification remains squarely in Banyana Banyana’s own hands when they face Burkina Faso in their final group fixture on Tuesday, 4 August 2026.
A win in that decisive encounter would give the team every chance of extending their stay in Morocco and continuing their record of deep runs at the continental showpiece — a tradition the nation celebrated so memorably when the team lifted the WAFCON trophy for the first time in 2022.
The fighting spirit of a champion side
Friday’s comeback was a reminder of the resilience that has carried this golden generation of South African footballers to the sport’s biggest stages, from continental glory to the FIFA Women’s World Cup knockout rounds. Trailing by two goals away from home, in a high-pressure tournament match, the team showed composure, courage and quality when it mattered most.
For the millions of supporters back home who set their alarms and filled living rooms in green and gold, the message from Casablanca was clear: this team never stops fighting. South Africans of every stripe will be behind Banyana Banyana on Tuesday as they take on Burkina Faso with a quarter-final place there for the taking.
Kgatlana and Magaia’s goals mean South Africa’s fate is still in their own hands — and if Friday night proved anything, it is that writing off Banyana Banyana is never a wise idea.
Photo: commons.wikimedia.org
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