Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis says her players understand the magnitude of Friday night’s CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON 2026) Group B encounter against Côte d’Ivoire as South Africa look to avoid an early exit from the competition.
Banyana Banyana suffered a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Tanzania in their opening match earlier this week, leaving them under pressure to secure a positive result against the Ivorians. Côte d’Ivoire, meanwhile, made an emphatic start to the tournament with a 4-1 victory over Burkina Faso.
South Africa and Côte d’Ivoire will meet at the Moulay Rachid Stadium in Casablanca, with kick-off scheduled for 7pm (SA time).
Ellis admitted her side faces another stern test but remains confident that her experienced squad can respond.
«”Another difficult game ahead of us and I don’t think any of the games in the groups are easy. Not getting a result in the first game is a situation that we find ourselves in now, but we know what we’re capable of and it’s a game where we have to get the result,” said Ellis.»
«”We’ve worked on a lot of things, there’s been a lot of positivity, the energy has been good in camp and we’ve obviously analysed the opponent the same as they have analysed us.”»
The veteran coach believes the mood in camp has improved considerably since the defeat to Tanzania.
«”The mood is better now in camp compared to a few days ago after the match against Tanzania. We have a group of players that have come here and know what they need to do. I think we have enough experience in the group to rub off on the younger players. Everybody knows what needs to be done, and you don’t need to keep reminding people because they also discuss it amongst each other as a group. We allow that because we are a team and we trust each other.”»
Against Tanzania, South Africa conceded a goal in each half, with defender Bambanani Mbane scoring Banyana Banyana’s only goal of the match.
Forward Thembi Kgatlana believes the opening defeat does not define the team’s campaign and insists the players remain focused on turning things around.
«”To be honest, each game is different and how you start doesn’t determine where you will end up. Of course we lost the first game and we know that we lost the first game. There are so many things we could have done better, there are so many things we want to do better as a team, as individuals and as sports people.”»
Kgatlana pointed to the team’s previous experiences of overcoming setbacks in past WAFCON tournaments.
«”We have been in similar situations in the past in other editions of WAFCON and it didn’t determine where we ended. We know that tomorrow is another game. It helps us to take it one game at a time and here we are facing our second opposition in the group.”»
«”We still have the mandate, the chances are there for us to take, and tomorrow the team that wants it the most is going to take it. It’s not going to be about how we played the first game but about how we progress as a team in the tournament.”»
Friday’s encounter could also mark a significant personal milestone for midfielder Gabriela Moodaly-Salgado, who is in line to earn her 50th international cap for Banyana Banyana. The achievement would be particularly meaningful after injury ruled her out of the 2022 WAFCON triumph, while another injury forced her to be hospitalised during the 2025 tournament.
In the other Group B fixture, Tanzania will face Burkina Faso at 9pm (SA time), with the outcome also likely to have a major bearing on the race for a place in the knockout stages.
