South Africa secured a place in the quarter-finals of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations after edging Burkina Faso 1-0 in their final Group B match on Tuesday in Casablanca.
Thembi Kgatlana’s first-half strike earned South Africa a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Burkina Faso on Tuesday, sending the defending champions into the quarter-finals of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, where they will face hosts Morocco.
Kgatlana, who plays for Mexican club Tigres UANL, scored the decisive goal in the 21st minute, finishing off a well-worked move to give Banyana Banyana the breakthrough. Although Desiree Ellis’ side failed to produce their best football, they did enough to claim all three points and secure second place in Group B.
South Africa’s path to the knockout stage was anything but straightforward.
They opened their title defence with a surprise 2-1 defeat to Tanzania before producing a spirited comeback from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Ivory Coast, thanks to second-half goals from Kgatlana and Hildah Magaia.
Needing a victory to guarantee qualification, Banyana Banyana showed greater composure against Burkina Faso, holding onto their slender lead to register their first win of the tournament and finish the group stage with four points.
Meanwhile, Ivory Coast claimed top spot in Group B after defeating Tanzania 2-1 to finish unbeaten on seven points.
South Africa advanced as runners-up with four points, while Burkina Faso and Tanzania ended their campaigns with three points each but missed out on qualification.
South Africa will now take on tournament hosts Morocco in the quarter-finals as they continue their quest to retain the continental title.
The stakes remain high in the knockout rounds, with the four semi-finalists automatically qualifying for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
The two losing quarter-finalists with the best playoff opportunity will also have a chance to reach the global showpiece through the FIFA Inter-Confederation Playoffs.
