Kgatlana makes dream Banyana return as she scores late to seal WAFCON 2026 ticket

Thembi Kgatlana made a sensational return to the Banyana Banyana team as she scored a stoppage time goal to deliver South Africa into the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.

Banyana Banyana had played a 1-1 draw in DR Congo last week and were still in the driver’s seat but they had failed to break down the visitors for 90 minutes in the second leg.

However, with the final bits of the game in time added on, Kgatlana stole the ball from the DR Congo defenders before driving past her markers and slotting home to kill off any hopes for the visitors.

It was an impactful return to the national team for the Mexico-based striker, who was among four star players that missed the first leg in DR Congo last week, as South Africa won 2-1 on aggregate to qualify for the 2026 tournament in Morocco.

Banyana get chance to reclaim WAFCON title

Banyana Banyana should have killed off the game much earlier when they had a number of chances that went begging with Kgatlana coming close a couple of times but not finishing off her opportunities.

Nonetheless, South Africa did just enough to earn a return to WAFCON where they will have a chance to reclaim the title that they lost out at the 2024 edition which was played in Morocco in July this year.

Banyana Banyana finished fourth after losing to Ghana in the third-place playoff and Tuesday’s match was the second game since that heartbreaking defeat.

The team had been bereft of experience in the first leg when Mexico-based quartet Kgatlana, Hilda Magaia, Amogelang Motau and Sinoxolo Cesane did not make it but they were back in the squad for the return match at Dobsonville Stadium.