MOROCCO (1)(2)
Ouzraoui 32’, El Haj (p) 48’
SOUTH AFRICA (1)
Kgatlana 68’
Banyana Banyana’s 2027 World Cup dream is hanging by a thread. Their lacklustre run at the ongoing Wafcon has culminated in the team needing to navigate the play-offs to reach the finals in Brazil next year, after failing to progress past the quarter-finals.
Banyana lost 2-1 to hosts Morocco in the continental showpiece last-eight at a buzzing Moulay El Hassan Stadium on Saturday night. Thembi Kgatlana’s late goal was ultimately not enough to cancel out strikes from Sakina Ozraoui and Hanane Ait El Haj.
The Atlas Lionesses’ celebrations will continue long into the night – and perhaps for the rest of the tournament – as they build on a resurgence that has seen them qualify for a second successive World Cup, following their debut in 2023.
For Banyana, the focus now shifts to Thursday’s play-off clash, which will determine whether they represent the continent in the inter-continental play-offs for a spot in their third successive World Cup in Brazil. It will be a tense, high-stakes wait.
The team’s struggles were visible in the group stage, but they were laid bare in Rabat. The squad appeared not only starved of support in the stands – as the red-and-green-clad crowd dominated the atmosphere – but they were disjointed on the pitch, notably on the bench.
Desiree Ellis, arriving as the longest-serving coach at the tournament, had never failed to reach a semi-final in her previous four appearances. However, she appeared silenced on Saturday night, struggling with both her team’s lack of fluidity and the dissonance within her backroom staff.
For large parts of the first half, fitness coach Ridhaa Allie and goalkeeper coach Lucky Shiburi were uncharacteristically barking instructions – a dynamic that suggested a breakdown in the usual team communication.
In contrast, Ellis’ opposite number, Jorge Vilda, inspired confidence. He strolled his touchline, allowing his team the freedom to dictate play and forcing Banyana to “chase shadows” in the dark skies of Rabat.
Despite early pressure from the hosts, they did not initially trouble Kaylin Swart in goal. However, the intensity of the Moroccan press forced Banyana to backtrack constantly, leaving Thembi Kgatlana isolated upfront. Her hard work went to waste as she lacked support, with teammates often late to the ball or surrendering possession to an organised Moroccan defence.
The stadium erupted just after the half-hour mark when Hanane Ait El Haj whipped in a telling cross that found an unmarked Sakina Ozraoui, who cleverly lobbed the ball over a flat-footed Swart.
At half-time, Banyana players gathered for a huddle before heading down the tunnel, while a visibly concerned Ellis remained on the touchline, carrying her backpack which ironically suggested she was ready to head home.
Ellis’ disconnection from her team’s momentum was evident after the restart. Noxolo Cesane’s challenge on Ghizlane Chebbak inside the box forced referee Josephine Wanjiku to reluctantly award a penalty. El Haj took the responsibility and blasted her effort past Swart to double the lead.
The hefty deficit ironically elevated Banyana’s morale, as they began to see more of the ball and attack with purpose. Their persistence was rewarded when Kgatlana slotted past Khadija Er-Ramichi after a well-worked through ball from Karabo Dhlamini. While celebrations were initially stalled by an offside call, a lengthy VAR review eventually upheld the goal.
With confidence building, Banyana nearly found an equaliser, with Robyan Moodaly-Salgado forcing a brilliant save from Er-Ramichi with a diagonal strike.
Ultimately, the comeback fell short. Banyana now face the difficult play-off route to reach Brazil – a period that will undoubtedly require a thorough inspection of the team’s current structure and performance.
* Mihlali Baleka is currently covering WAFCON in Morocco for IOL, courtesy of Banyana Banyana’s premier sponsor, Sasol.
