Banyana Banyana were drawn against Burkina Faso, the Ivory Coast and Tanzania in a favourable draw at next month’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations finals, where they will be chasing qualification to the next Women’s World Cup in Brazil in 2027.
The top four finishers at the 2026 Wafcon, which will be hosted in Morocco from March 17- April 3, advance to the World Cup and South Africa are one of the top four seeds.
They were drawn into top place in Group B, which is to be based at the Al Madina Stadium in Rabat, which was also used for handful of matches at the men’s Cup of Nations finals over the last month.
Hosts Morocco are the top seeds in Group A while holders Nigeria are in Group C. Ghana, who have been runners-up three times, are the top seeds in Group D.
The groups for the #TotalEnergiesWAFCON2026 are locked in 🔐
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The tournament is set to begin on 17 March 🍿⚽#SSFootball | #HereForHer pic.twitter.com/KdhA4BIji4
South Africa’s opponents have limited experience at Wafcon with the Ivorians participating three times previously but last in 2014.
Burkina Faso have been to a single Cup of Nations in 2020 when South Africa won while Tanzania have played in only two tournaments, although were at the last finals in Morocco last August.
In contrast, Banyana have played at all 14 previous Wafcons, along with Nigeria.
The top two teams in the four groups will advance to the quarterfinals, which effectively are one-off matches to decide World Cup qualification.
South Africa have played at the last two Women’s World Cups.
WAFCON 2026 DRAW
Group A (Rabat Moulay Hassan Stadium): Morocco, Algeria, Senegal, Kenya,
Group B (Rabat Al Madina Stadium): South Africa, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, Tanzania
Group C (Casablanca): Nigeria, Zambia, Egypt, Malawi
Group D (Fes): Ghana, Cameroon, Mali, Cape Verde