Banyana set their sights on Wafcon glory

BANYANA Banyana delivered another memorable performance as they secured qualification for next year's Women's Africa Cup of Nations, set to be hosted in Morocco.

- OBAKENG MELETSE

But uncertainty still looms over the composition of their technical team going forward, as well as a lack of confirmed fixtures for the coming months.

South Africa claimed a hardfought 1-0 win against the Democratic Republic of Congo at Dobsonville Stadium in the second leg of the qualifiers.

Banyana carried a 1-1 advantage from the first leg in the DRC, and with everything to play for, a late winner from Thembi Kgatlana was enough to give South Africa a 2-1 aggregate victory and a shot at winning their second Wafcon title in three attempts.

The Mexico-based Kgatlana had missed the 2024 Wafcon and her timely return ensured that South Africa had the firepower they lacked in the first leg.

With Banyana led by assistant coach Thinasonke Mbuli amid ongoing uncertainty over the future of head coach Desiree Ellis, South Africa had to work tirelessly in a match that carried a lot at stake, including the possibility of World Cup qualification next year if they reach the semifinals. Coming into the match, Mbuli said her side was targeting nothing less than a win. While the first half produced some decent opportunities, the second half kept everyone on edge as the visitors refused to go down without a fight.

Banyana assistant coach was relieved that Kgatlana's return had the impact that was needed and they also managed to keep a cleansheet.

"Leading up to the match I had said that we needed to win," Mbuli said, after the game.