WAFCON: Late Magaia strike keeps Banyana Banyana hopes alive

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WAFCON: Late Magaia strike keeps Banyana Banyana hopes alive
Hildah Magaia, Banyana Banyana - Image: SAFA

South Africa’s Banyana Banyana needed a late goal by Hildah Magaia to draw 2-2 with Ivory Coast in the 2026 WAFCON game played at the Moulay Rachid Stadium in Casablanca on Friday night.

Having suffered a shocking 2-1 defeat to East African nation Tanzania, the Desiree Ellis-led team were aiming to bounce back to stand a chance of making the knockout phase.

Banyana Banyana undone in the first half

The West African nation started the game strongly, pinning South Africa with every opportunity they got. Just like in the game against the Twiga Stars, Banyana Banyana struggled to get effective passes together to hurt their opponents.

In the 18th minute, South Africa failed to capitalise on a corner and were caught in a counterattack. It ended with Safi Ouedraogo setting up Grace Sery, who did well to beat Kaylin Swart to hand Ivory Coast a deserved lead.

The Lady Elephants got their second of the night in the 36th minute, with the aforementioned duo combining well once again before Sery completed her brace, as she capitalised on poor positioning by Swart.

Kgatlana

Banyana Banyana improved after the pause hoping to get back into the game and most importantly secure maximum points.

They came close several times, but the most important strike happened in the 71st minute. Thembi Kgatlana controlled a pass from Refiloe Jane before firing an unstoppable shot into the back of the net to reduce the deficit.

With barely a second to go, substitute Ronnel Donnelly slipped in fellow substitute Magaia, who did well to guide home the ball to make it 2-2 and deny Ivory Coast a quarter-final ticket.

Banyana Banyana have a point in Group B while the Lady Elephants have four. In the final game, the former will face Burkina Faso while the latter lock horns with Tanzania.

<!-- Author Start -->Willis Sob<!-- Author End -->

Willis Sob

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Willis Sob is a sports betting expert and journalist covering Nigeria and South Africa, with 16 years of experience. With a background in journalism, reporting and programme production, he specialises in football odds, and his work has appeared on OK Africa and GOAL, as well as TV, radio and podcasts.

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