Banyana Banyana WAFCON predictions: How far can South Africa go in 2026?

Banyana Banyana return to the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) for the 15^th time looking for their second title and there is hope that they can go all the way.

South Africa have played every WAFCON edition apart from the inaugural one in 1991 with Nigeria, the only country with more experience than them, given the Super Falcons have played all the previous 15 and are set for a 16^th appearance in 2026.

Morocco is hosting the WAFCON for a third straight edition with the tournament set to take place from July 26 to August 16.

South Africa, who are in Group B, alongside Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso and Tanzania, are among giant nations at the tournament and one of the favourites to win it.

Banyana Banyana among favourites

Desiree Ellis’ side are looking to improve on the fourth place of WAFCON 2024 but there is confidence that they can repeat their 2022 heroics, when they beat Morocco in the final to win their first and only African title.

WAFCON 2026 also has added incentive as it is acting as the 2027 World Cup qualifier. The four semi-finalists will guarantee their ticket to next year’s tournament in Brazil.

For South Africa, this is seen as a foregone conclusion as they have failed to reach the semi-finals in just two of their 14 previous appearances.

Banyana Banyana have been in the final five times, winning once, while they have finished third twice and fourth on four occasions. In the last nine editions, they have made it to the last four.

Class of 2022 still very much alive

That therefore means their ambition is much bigger and it does not come better than winning the title.

At the 2026 edition, South Africa will feel they can lift the title but there are perhaps a few teams that are a little ahead of them which means extra effort for Ellis’ team.

Ellis named a strong squad with a number of the players who led her team to the 2022 title retained. Striker Thembi Kgatlana, midfielders Linda Motlhalo and Refiloe Jane, defenders Lebohang Ramalepe and Bambanani Mbane, and goalkeepers Kaylin Swart and Andile Dlamini are part of the squad, having been key to the title win four years ago.

Striker Hildah Magaia, who scored both goals, as South Africa beat Morocco 2-0 in the 2022 final, is also in the squad despite being unattached.

Path to WAFCON glory difficult in 2026

Meanwhile, there is a return for Robyn Moodaly-Salgado, who had previously retired from football, and her spouse Gabriela Moodaly-Salgado, who suffered a horrific injury at WAFCON 2024.

The inclusion of 16-year-old Zoe October will add the exuberance of youth to the squad.

South Africa’s path to the final might be a bit tough, however, as they are likely to face record winners and defending champions Nigeria in the semi-final.

From the match schedule, Group B winners, which could be South Africa, will face the runners-ups in Group A that has Morocco, Algeria, Senegal and Kenya in the quarter-final.

Where will South Africa reach?

Whoever wins this clash will play in a semi-final against the team that would have won the quarter-final pitting Group C winners and Group D runners-ups. Nigeria are in Group C, alongside Zambia, Egypt and Malawi, which they are favourite to top, while Group D has Ghana, Cameroon, Mali and Cape Verde.

While it is possible to repeat the 2022 heroics, when they beat Nigeria in the group stage, it is hard to see them repeating it this year given the quality of the Super Falcons and therefore, a semi-final appearance is what appears achievable for Banyana Banyana at WAFCON 2023.

The alternative is not any better for South Africa as second place in Group B would see them possibly face Morocco in the quarter-final which could spell early disaster.