Banyana Banyana qualify for WAFCON after tense 1–0 victory over DR Congo
Banyana have secured their place at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
Zuko Komisa
Sasol Banyana Banyana have secured their place at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) after defeating the DR Congo 1-0 in their second-leg qualifier at Dobsonville Stadium on Tuesday, 28 October.
The victory gave the South African senior women’s national team a 2-1 aggregate win, following a 1-1 draw in the first leg in Kinshasa last week.
The decisive moment arrived in the final minute when star forward Thembi Kgatlana struck the winning goal, securing South Africa’s qualification for the continental tournament set to take place in Morocco in March 2026.
Defender Lebohang Ramalepe was named Queen of the Match for her outstanding defensive efforts.
Acting coach Thinasonke Mbuli praised the team’s ability to withstand pressure, particularly towards the end of the game when the score was still 0-0.
“I give credit to the defenders for absorbing the pressure,” she said, acknowledging the team’s composure to hold firm until the decisive goal.
Mbuli also highlighted the challenge of maintaining player fitness ahead of the March tournament, given the domestic league’s off-season period in December.
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