South Africa’s TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) Morocco 2026 campaign officially gets underway on Monday 27 July 2026 as Banyana Banyana face Tanzania in their Group B opener in Casablanca. Having carved their name into the history books by winning their first-ever WAFCON title in 2022, Banyana Banyana return to the continental championship looking to build on that success and make another strong impression on Africa’s biggest stage.
The 2026 edition, which runs from 26 July to 16 August, marks the first time the tournament will feature 16 teams. Hosted by Morocco, the competition begins with group stage before progressing to the knockout rounds. Beyond continental honours, the tournament also acts as a FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifier, with the four semi-finalists earning automatic qualification.
Drawn in Group B, South Africa will face Tanzania, Cote d’lvoire and Burkina Faso, with all of their group stage fixtures taking place in Casablanca. Based on the latest rankings, South Africa enters the tournament as the continent’s second-highest ranked side, with Cote d’lvoire ranked sixth, while Burkina Faso and Tanzania are ranked 20th and 30th respectively.
Although rankings position Banyana Banyana among the favourites in the group, the squad is taking nothing for granted. Banyana Banyana captain Refiloe Jane believes the team’s success in 2022 has only heightened the teams desire to remain a dominant force in Africa’s football. “We want to do well in every tournament we play, and WAFCON 2026 is no different,” said Jane. “Having experienced what it feels like to be champions, we want to feel that again. Our ambition is the same, to qualify for FIFA Women’s World Cup and fight to lift the trophy for a second time in four years. It won’t be easy, but preparations have gone well, the spirit within the squad is excellent, and we’re confident in our ability”.
South Africa’s opening fixture against Tanzania will be followed by a crucial Group B encounter against Ivory Coast on Friday, 31 July at 19:00 (SAST), before concluding the group stage against Burkina Faso on Tuesday, 4 August at 22:00 (SAST).
Jane believes a commanding start could be crucial in shaping Banyana Banyana’s campaign, particularly with the World Cup qualification also at stake. “Every opening match sets the tone for the rest of the tournament”, she said. “With only four teams qualifying automatically, the stakes are incredibly high. Tanzania proved in our previous meeting that they are a competitive side holding us to a draw, so we have to be more than prepared because we know what they are about”.
Mamelodi Sundowns defender Bambanani Mbane shared a similar view, emphasising the importance of defensive organisation in tournament football. “They often say goals win you games, but solid defences win you tournaments”, Mbane said. “As defenders, it’s our responsibility to give the team a platform by keeping a clean sheet. Tanzania have shown before that they can challenge us, we should play our part as the defence and I am positive we can, then we can celebrate at the end of 90 minutes”.
The experienced centre-back also outlined the importance of trusting the team’s identity rather than becoming distracted by the opposition. “We know our strengths, and we have to focus on executing what we’ve practiced during training”, she added. “A positive start is vital because you don’t want to spend the rest of the tournament playing catch-up”.
For South Africa, WAFCON 2026 represents another opportunity to showcase the continued growth of women’s football in the country. The squad combines experienced internationals with emerging talent, creating a balanced group capable of competing deep into the tournament. While individual achievements often attract attention at major tournaments. “When it comes to tournaments like this, individual’s goals come second”, she said. “The team’s success is what matters most. We want to qualify for our third consecutive FIFA Women’s World Cup and go all the way in this WAFCON, but that will only happen if we play for each other”.
Jane also reserved a heartfelt message to supporters back home, acknowledging the role South African’s continue to play in the team’s journey. “This team wouldn’t be where it is without support of millions of South African’s”, she said. “We appreciate every fan following us from home. We can feel your support here in Morocco, and we carry your hopes with us. Please continue backing Banyana Banyana as we strive to reach greater heights together”.
With kick-off just hours away, Banyana Banyana now have the opportunity to turn their preparations into a positive start on the continental stage. A strong performance against Tanzania would not only lay a solid foundation for Group B but also reinforce their ambitions of challenging for a second WAFCON title.
Comments
Post a Comment