Banyana Banyana boosted by early WAFCON schedule ahead of Morocco test

The early scheduling of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) next year will serve as a motivator for Banyana Banyana to take their preparation matches seriously.

The next edition of the continental showpiece will be staged in Morocco from March 17 to April 3, 2026, and it will be expanded to 16 teams for the first time after previously featuring 12 sides — making it more unpredictable and competitive.

Banyana finished fourth in the last edition, surrendering their title to rivals Nigeria. But with the next WAFCON offering them a chance to reclaim their continental glory, they are leaving no stone unturned. They have a preparation match lined up away to Morocco in Agadir on Tuesday night (8pm kick-off).

Speaking before their departure to Morocco last week, midfielder Amogelang Motau explained why they need to take the game seriously ahead of next year’s WAFCON finals.

“I think to have new faces is exciting, as the players are trying to impress the coach,” Motau said.

“Another motivator is that WAFCON is in March. It might seem like a long time, but it’s not. So, we are motivated to prepare, especially knowing that it’s in March, not June or July like before.”

Coach Desiree Ellis is also motivated to win the friendly while striking a balance in her team. She has called up a blend of youngsters and experienced players.

Youngsters include Casey Gordon, Jessica Wade and Bonolo Mokoma, while the old guard includes Motau, Andile Dlamini and Bambanani Mbane. Notable exclusions for this camp are Thembi Kgatlana, Hildah Magaia and Sinoxolo Cesane.

“It will be very nice to end the year on a high note,” Motau added. “The team has put in a lot of work. This year has been challenging for the team, bringing in new players and requiring them to adjust.

“I think it will be good for us to end the year positively. Some of us are going into pre-season, so I’m excited to go back to my club fit.”

Motau and her teammates can expect a tough outing against the Atlas Lionesses in their own backyard. The North Africans have been on an upward trajectory, reaching the WAFCON final in their last two campaigns and qualifying for their maiden World Cup in Australasia.

“We know Morocco is a good team. We saw them going to the final back-to-back,” Motau said. “We expect a technical game because they are a technical team.

“It’s exciting for us. That’s the type of football we want to play, and not the physical game we used to face in the past. So, for us to work on our patterns, I think it’s going to be pretty exciting.”

Motau added: “I think this camp is very important for us. It’s going to serve as a base for us heading into the next WAFCON. It’s been a really long year, and everyone is feeling it in camp, but the girls are pushing.

“There are a lot of new faces, so I think this camp is going to help us build chemistry. That’s why I think it’s very important.”

It will be crucial for Banyana to win against Morocco. While their fourth-place finish in the last edition would have been enough to qualify for the World Cup — if qualification had been offered — that standard is still below what the team expects of itself.

With next year’s WAFCON set to serve as qualification for the 2027 World Cup in Brazil, it’s important for South Africa to finish in a respectable position and secure their ticket to the global showpiece.