By Jimmy Zwane
South Africa’s Banyana Banyana sealed their qualification for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) after edging past the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) 1-0 in a tense second-leg encounter at Dobsonville Stadium in Soweto on Tuesday evening.
Having drawn 1-1 in the first leg in Kinshasa last week—thanks to a crucial away goal—Banyana Banyana entered the return fixture needing either a win or a goalless draw to progress.
The home side started strongly, controlling possession and creating several early opportunities but failing to convert. As the match wore on, the DRC began to threaten on the counterattack, testing South Africa’s defensive resolve.
With the game seemingly destined for a stalemate, Thembi Kgatlana broke the deadlock in stoppage time, firing home the decisive goal that sent the crowd into raptures and confirmed South Africa’s place at next year’s continental showpiece.
Defender Lebohang Ramalepe earned the Queen of the Match award for her commanding display at the back, helping to keep the visitors at bay.
Assistant coach Thinasonke Mbuli praised her team’s defensive discipline under pressure.
“I said yesterday that we had to win, and even though it was frustrating when the score stayed 0-0, our defenders did a fantastic job of absorbing the pressure,” Mbuli noted.
She also pointed out that preparation for WAFCON in Morocco—scheduled for March to April 2026—will be challenging due to the timing of the domestic season.
“We’re hoping to arrange a friendly during the November FIFA window because our players will be on break in December, and the league will still be off when WAFCON starts in March,” she explained. “We need to strike the right balance between rest and readiness.”
Having reached the semi-finals in the past two editions, Banyana Banyana will aim to go one step further this time—not only to chase continental glory but also to secure automatic qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
