The road to Brazil starts in Rabat: Banyana Banyana targets WAFCON glory

The TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) is set to return for its 14th edition, bringing together 16 of the finest women’s national teams on the continent.

For the third consecutive year, Morocco will host the prestigious tournament, which is scheduled to run from 17 March to 3 April 2026.

Following the official draw held on 15 January at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat, the path to glory has been laid out for South Africa’s national team, Banyana Banyana.

Banyana Banyana has been drawn into Group B, where they will face Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, and Tanzania. The South African side will open their campaign against Tanzania on 17 March as the tournament kicks off.

This group presents a unique set of challenges; while Côte d’Ivoire makes its first appearance since 2014 and Burkina Faso enters with only one previous tournament under its belt, Tanzania has appeared twice before and was present at the previous finals in Morocco as recently as August 2025.

The stakes for this edition of WAFCON extend far beyond continental bragging rights. The tournament serves as the primary qualifier for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.

To progress, the top two teams from each of the four groups will move forward to the knockout rounds. The four teams that successfully reach the semi-finals will earn an automatic spot at the global showpiece.

Even for those who fall in the quarter-finals, a second chance remains through a set of play-off matches to determine which two African nations will enter the inter-confederation play-offs.

Banyana Banyana enters the competition with a rich history, having participated in all 14 previous editions.

As one of only three nations to have ever won the WAFCON title, the South Africans are eager to improve on their performance from the last edition, where they were eliminated in the semi-finals.

Having competed in the last two Women’s World Cups, the team is highly motivated to secure their place on the world stage for a third consecutive time.

The tournament structure sees Group B based in the capital city of Rabat, with matches set to be played at the Al Madina Stadium. Elsewhere in the draw, hosts Morocco head Group A alongside Algeria, Senegal, and Kenya. Group C, based in Casablanca, features defending champions Nigeria in a challenging pool with Zambia, Egypt, and debutantes Malawi.

Nigeria, the record 10-time champions, reclaimed their title in July 2024 by defeating Morocco 3–2 in a thrilling final. Finally, Group D will be contested in Fes, featuring Ghana, Cameroon, Mali, and debutantes Cape Verde.

As the 17 March kickoff approaches, the focus for South Africa remains clear: navigate a competitive Group B and reclaim their status at the summit of African football. With the 2027 World Cup in Brazil serving as the ultimate prize, the journey through Morocco represents a critical chapter for the future of the women’s game in South Africa.