Banyana Banyana One Win From 2027 World Cup Qualification As Morocco Stand in Their Way
- Banyana Banyana have the chance to seal a place at the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup with victory over Morocco
- The defending African champions face the tournament hosts in a winner-takes-all WAFCON quarterfinal
- Desiree Ellis says previous meetings between the two sides will have no bearing on Saturday's clash
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Banyana Banyana are one victory away from booking their place at the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup when they take on hosts Morocco in the Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) quarterfinal on Saturday, 8 August. The winner in Rabat will qualify automatically for the tournament in Brazil, while the losing side will have to keep their hopes alive through the play-offs.
Banyana chase direct route to Brazil
South Africa's path to the knockout stage was far from straightforward after a mixed group campaign, while Morocco arrive unbeaten and yet to concede a goal in the tournament.
SAFA reports that tespite the challenge awaiting her side, Banyana coach Desiree Ellis believes her players are prepared for the occasion.
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"We know how big this game is because the winner goes directly to the World Cup," Ellis said. "We can only control what we can control."
Ellis dismisses previous Morocco results
The quarterfinal is a repeat of the 2022 WAFCON final, which South Africa won. Banyana also beat Morocco in an international friendly in November 2025.
Ellis, however, believes those results count for little.
"Past results don't matter in this match. No one is going to give it to you, you have to earn it," she said.
Source: Twitter
Karabo Dhlamini relishing the challenge
Defender Karabo Dhlamini said the squad is embracing the occasion despite Morocco's home advantage.
"We know it's not going to be an easy game, but these are the matches we enjoy because they show how much teams want to qualify," Dhlamini said.
The remaining WAFCON quarterfinals see Nigeria face Cameroon, Ivory Coast meet Algeria, and Ghana take on Mali. All four winners will secure places at the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup.
With a World Cup place on the line, Banyana Banyana have the opportunity to take the shortest route to Brazil. Overcoming the hosts would also move South Africa a step closer to winning another WAFCON crown.
SAFA ordered to pay over R500,000 after CAS ruling over Banyana friendlies
Briefly News also reported that the South African Football Association (SAFA) was ordered to pay more than R500,000 after losing a Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) appeal over Banyana Banyana's 2024 international friendlies.
The ruling found that Zimbabwean FIFA match agent Ellen Chiwenga was entitled to payment for arranging the fixtures, despite the absence of a signed agreement. SAFA later confirmed it had accepted the decision and would not lodge a further appeal.
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Source: Briefly News
