9 August 2026 – Sasol Banyana Banyana Head Coach Dr Desiree Ellis is singing the praises of her charges despite their early exit from the CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON 2026) after a 1-2 quarterfinal defeat to host nation Morocco on Saturday night.
Two goals by the North Africans in either half through Sakina Ouzraoui and Hanane Ait El Haj put the home team ahead while South Africa pulled one back through Thembi Kgatlana. Banyana Banyana pushed all the way and almost scored in the dying minutes of the game but ran out of time to find an equalizer.
“For the first 35 minutes we were in control until we conceded, we had played well until that moment. Conceding that penalty just after half time put us back where we had to restart, but then we started playing again and got the goal and had them on the backfoot for a very long time. They hardly threatened our goal. But I can be very proud of the team, we knew how important this game was and I think everybody that stepped onto the field can be proud that they gave everything. We wanted to go this route (World Cup) but unfortunately, it’s past now, we’re thinking already of the next game coming up. We are getting ready to prepare for that, we can’t cry over spilt milk at the moment, but I can be very proud, and I think the people back home can be very proud of the team’s performance,” said Dr Ellis.
“I think many people did not give us a chance but tonight we showed what we are capable of, tonight we showed what we can do. We started slowly in the tournament in getting our momentum but tonight was a game that could have gone either way, they got the two chances and they scored the goals. Their keeper made a fantastic save towards the end which would have taken the game into extra time. And this is what this team is all about, they never give up until the final whistle, we just ran out of minutes in the end because I felt that in the last 15 minutes they (Morocco) were tiring. I also want to congratulate Morocco for qualifying for the World Cup, but we are not out of it completely.”
The 2022 African Champions bowed out in the quarterfinal stages of the continental women’s showpiece, thereby missing out on automatic qualification to the FIFA Women’s World Cup, but the ticket is still within reach. Banyana Banyana are back in action on Thursday in Casablanca to begin the long play-offs route where they start off with a match against the losers in the clash between Nigeria and Cameroon, who are playing tonight.
“Immediately after the game there was disappointment among the players but we reminded them that we still have a game to play, and we reminded them that they’re not completely out of it. As I said, we didn’t want to go that route (play-offs), but it’s been thrown at us, the dice turned the other way and we reminded them that we need to get ready for that game. We need to make sure that mentally and physically, we are ready for that game and that’s what it’s about now. We are just focusing on the next game but obviously we’ll have to recover really quickly and then prepare for that game,” added Dr Ellis. The team travels to Casablanca on Sunday, 8 August 2026.
“The result may not have gone our way on the night, but it does not diminish the immense pride we have in the Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana. They fought with courage, determination and heart until the final whistle, demonstrating once again what it means to represent South Africa on the continental stage. At Sasol, our belief in this team has never been defined by a single result; it is rooted in the journey, the resilience and the barriers they continue to break for women’s football in our country. #NtswembuNamanje is about believing and backing Banyana Banyana through every moment. We remain incredibly proud of our champions, and we know they will rise again,” said Dean Somerset, Manager: Group Brand and Sponsorships, Sasol.
South African Football: They represent South Africa in international men’s football.
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