On August 12, 2026, Sasol Banyana Banyana demonstrated their determination to excel as they prepare to face Nigeria in a pivotal FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifier play-off set to take place at the Moulay Rachid Stadium in Casablanca. Both South Africa and Nigeria experienced early exits from the CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON 2026), being eliminated in the quarterfinals. This unfortunate outcome denied them the opportunity to secure one of the four automatic spots for the World Cup. However, a glimmer of hope has emerged as they compete in play-offs, where the winner will embark on a challenging journey towards securing a place in South America for next year’s global women's football event.
Dr. Desiree Ellis, the coach of Banyana Banyana, emphasized the significance of this match, stating, “It’s not the place we want to be, but we’ve been given another opportunity—a very big opportunity to go on a long journey. We obviously have to bring our A game; there’s no margin for error. The disappointment of losing the previous game will likely motivate us to achieve a positive result. This match won’t be easy; both teams are titans of African football, and it’s crucial that one of us advances to qualify for the World Cup. We understand the weight of this game, and we must execute our plans effectively to ensure victory.”
Last time these two powerhouses clashed was during the previous WAFCON edition, where Nigeria's Super Falcons triumphed on their way to securing their tenth continental title. Nonetheless, the dynamics have shifted, and both teams are now focused on claiming a spot in the next phase of the qualifiers.
Banyana Banyana captain Refiloe Jane shared her thoughts during a media interaction in Casablanca, affirming their resolve to give their all on the field. “This match is crucial for our team. We arrived here with the goal of qualifying for the World Cup, and it’s disappointing that we didn’t achieve it in the first attempt. However, we maintain our high spirits as we have another chance to fulfill our objective. Our focus is entirely on this upcoming match, and we are committed to giving everything we have to continue our journey. The rivalry with Nigeria has deep roots, and we must trust in our capabilities and put in the necessary effort. This is a do-or-die situation, and we aim to leave the field knowing we’ve given our utmost,” stated Jane.
The highly anticipated match between South Africa and Nigeria is scheduled for 22:00 SA time, while the other play-off spot will be contested between Ivory Coast and Ghana at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium at 18:00 local time (19:00 SA time).
As reported by safa.net.
