Banyana through to the WAFCON quarterfinals without kicking a ball – South African Football Association

13 July 2025 – African Champions Banyana Banyana are still on track to defend their CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title after they secured a place in the quarterfinals of the tournament without kicking a ball.

With one final group stages match still to play, the South Africans progress to the next round along with Mali in Group C, joining the already qualified Algeria, Morocco, Nigeria, and Zambia.

This was confirmed after Group A concluded their business on Saturday (12 July) with Morocco defeating Senegal 1-0 while Zambia registered the same victory against DR Congo.

The hosts finished top of the group on seven points, level with Zambia who take the second spot and Senegal claimed the third spot on three points while DR Congo is eliminated.

Banyana Banyana is on four points in Group C level with Mali – this implies that the reigning champions cannot finish below second place and that sees them and Mali automatically progressing to the next round as the top two teams in their group.

The two nations meet on Monday night (14 June) at the Honneur Stadium in Oujda, Morocco, to determine who will finish top of the group.

Only two spots remain to complete the last eight and these will be contested by three teams – Senegal (Group A), Tanzania (Group C) and Tunisia (Group B).

Tanzania face Ghana while Tunisia will go toe-to-toe with Botswana – and Senegal will be following the proceedings with great interest as they cannot add to their points tally after they completed the round robin phase of the tournament.

Group B takes to the field on Sunday night (13 July 2025) and will see Nigeria tackling Algeria while Tunisia faces the already eliminated Botswana.

Nigeria is top of the group on six points, Algeria is on four, Tunisia has one and Botswana is yet to collect points.

Fireworks are expected in the quarterfinals with only one fixture confirmed so far – Nigeria vs Zambia.

South African Football: Bafana Bafana is the nickname for the South African national football team.