South Africa’s golden generation of women’s football is once again standing at the edge of a defining moment. With the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations kicking off in March, Banyana Banyana have already made it clear that their eyes are fixed firmly on the biggest prize of all – securing a ticket to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
For a team that has grown from underdogs to continental champions and global competitors, this next chapter feels like the start of something bigger. There is pride at stake, legacy to protect, and a new frontier waiting to be conquered.
A refreshed mindset for a high stakes WAFCON
Goalkeeper Andile Dlamini, one of the team’s most experienced voices, says this year’s tournament carries a different kind of weight. Speaking to SABC Sport, she revealed that the group understands the magnitude of what lies ahead.
“The mindset is completely different, we have a clear understanding and there is more at stake. It is an important Women’s Africa Cup of Nations as it doubles up as a World Cup qualifier. Having been to two World Cups before, we want to grab one of those spots,” she said.
Banyana have participated in the 2019 and 2023 World Cups, each time showing growth, grit and the ability to stand toe to toe with global heavyweights. This time, they want more than participation. They want continuity. They want proof that South Africa belongs on the biggest stage permanently.
Group B brings new threats and old lessons
South Africa have been drawn into Group B for the 2026 WAFCON, facing Tanzania, Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast. On paper it is a manageable group, but Dlamini says complacency is not an option.
“This is a new WAFCON with different challenges and we have to plan and prepare really well for the group stages. That is how we can manage to go past these three teams,” she explained.
Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast are physically tough sides, and Tanzania’s recent rise in the women’s game has made them a team that cannot be ignored. For Banyana, the group stage will be the first hurdle in a long qualifying marathon.
Learning from last year’s heartbreak
Banyana’s previous WAFCON campaign ended in a painful semi-final exit. While the team fought bravely, Dlamini admits that emotions got the better of the squad after the horrific injury to midfielder Gabriela Salgado.
“It was a very emotional moment for all of us because up until that moment we were probably in control,” Dlamini said. “The turning point came when Gabriela Salgado picked up that horrific injury and that affected us emotionally more than we could have imagined. Maybe if the game had gone into extra time we would have had time to recover.”
That heartbreak still lingers, but it has also sharpened the team’s awareness of how unpredictable tournament football can be. It is a reminder that strategy alone is not enough. Emotional resilience will matter just as much.
A chance to create lasting legacy
Banyana Banyana are not just chasing qualification. They are chasing history.
Every appearance on the world stage widens the pathway for young South African girls dreaming of football careers. Every victory strengthens the case for greater investment in women’s sport. Every milestone builds the foundation for the future.
This year’s WAFCON is about more than competition. It is about purpose.
Banyana have been here before, but now they want to go further. And if their renewed mindset is anything to go by, South Africa can expect a team ready to fight for another moment that will echo far beyond the final whistle.
Source: SABC Sport
Featured Image Source: Sasol in Sport on X
