WAFCON: Banyana Banyana fight back with late equaliser

by Staff Bona

Banyana Banyana fought back from two goals down to snatch a stoppage-time equaliser against Ivory Coast and keep their WAFCON hopes alive.

Also see: Banyana Banyana’s WAFCON bounce-back mission begins

Banyana Banyana make an ultimate comeback

Hildah Magaia struck with virtually the last kick of the game as South Africa earned a 2-2 draw with Ivory Coast in Casablanca, keeping their hopes of reaching the WAFCON quarter-finals intact.

Grace Sery gave the hosts a first-half platform, scoring twice inside 18 minutes, first with a low drive from outside the box and then a composed lob over goalkeeper Kaylin Swart. Both goals came from quick breaks orchestrated by fellow teenager N’Sira Ouédraogo.

Desiree Ellis’s side looked a different team after the break. Thembi Kgatlana cut in from the left and rifled a shot into the top corner to halve the deficit, and Magaia thought she had levelled soon after, only for the goal to be ruled out following a VAR check for offside.

Also see: Banyana Banyana’s campaign begins with a loss

The forward wasn’t denied for long. With the Ivorian defence caught square deep into stoppage time, Magaia was played through into space and finished from twelve yards to complete the comeback.

The result leaves South Africa’s progress from Group B in the balance ahead of a decisive final fixture against Burkina Faso on Tuesday, 4 August 2026.

Originally published by Soccermag.

Also see: Gabriela Salgado’s return gives Banyana Banyana a lift

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