Thembi Kgatlana’s sole goal against Burkina Faso ensured that Banyana Banyana progress to the knockout phase of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) tournament in Morocco.
Banyana went into the Group B decider at the Moulay Rachid Stadium on Tuesday at the bottom of the pool with just a point – needing a victory and a favourable result in alternating fixture in the group between Ivory Coast and Tanzania.
They finished second in the group on four points behind the Ivoirians who defeated the Twiga Stars 2-0, setting up a quarter-final clash with the host nation on Saturday in Rabat.
Banyana coach Desiree Ellis made two changes from the side that started in the 2-2 draw against Ivory Coast with Isabella Ludwig and Hildah Magaia starting in the places of Nthabiseng Majiya and Bongeka Gamede.
Banyana made intentions to score early in the game dominating possession. A real chance at goal came in the ninth minute, after a good build up that saw Ludwig set-up Magaia whose final shot went over the bar.
There was a scary moment for Banyana in the 12th minute with the defense caught in sixes and sevens by Alimata Belem slicing through two defenders in a dangerous position, but Kaylin Swart came out to rescue the situation.
Banyana won a set-piece three minutes later. Refiloe Jane swung the ball into the box but only forced the goalkeeper to come out and punch it away. There was another opportunity four minutes from that when Banyana won a corner-kick. Karabo Dhlamini took responsibility this time and sent the ball to Ludwig’s head but the latter missed the target by an inch.
The breakthrough came in the 21st minute when Fikile Magama set-up Kgatlana who slotted home the opener with her second goal of the tournament. Kgatlana could have doubled the lead at the half hour mark from a short Jane free-kick but the former sent the ball over the bar.
At the start of the second half Lebohang Ramalepe and Amogelang Motau came on for Cesane and Motlhalo. Two minutes into the half Antonia Maponya appeared to have brought down Adele Kabre in the box but VAR came to the rescue as the penalty decision was overturned.
Banyana missed another chance to get a cushion goal in the 54th minute when Kgatlana set-up Ludwig but the latter missed the ball one on one with the keeper. Motau could have also scored in the 65th minute but shot over the bar. The Burkinabe won a set-piece 10 minutes to time, Belem struck it but Swart made a crucial save.
Banyana Banyana XI: Swart, Maponya, Mbane, Dhlamini, Magama, Jane, Cesane, Motlhalo, Ludwig, Magaia, Kgatlana