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CASABLANCA, MOROCCO — South Africa’s Sasol Banyana Banyana are set to ignite their CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON 2026) campaign against Tanzania on Monday evening. The crucial Group B clash takes place at the Moulay Rachid Stadium in Casablanca, with kick-off scheduled for 19:00 South African time (18:00 local time).
Having arrived in North Africa a week ago, head coach Dr Desiree Ellis’ squad has put the finishing touches on its preparations, eager to lay down an emphatic marker in a group that also features Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso.
Setting the tone early remains the primary objective for the 2022 African champions. After the two sides battled to a tight draw in their previous meeting, the South African camp remains fully aware of the physical and tactical test awaiting them in their opener.
“The first match is very important as it sets the tone for the rest of the tournament, you have to go all out with guns blazing,” said Dr Ellis. “Everything we have done, everything we have prepared was towards this game because you cannot prepare further than that without getting a good result. We have faced Tanzania a couple of times before and the games have been very tight; they can play and they bring a lot of physicality, but we have dealt with teams like these in the past and we have prepared extremely well for the game. But what will be key is to keep a clean sheet and control the game.”
Banyana Banyana captain Refiloe Jane echoed her coach’s sentiments, emphasizing the need for maximum clinical efficiency in front of goal against an opponent renowned for fighting until the final whistle.
“Tanzania is not going to be easy, we know that they are a difficult team to face, they are relentless and play until the last whistle,” Jane noted. “We have to ensure that whatever chance we get we capitalize and score. You win your first game, and you move on with high confidence, so it will be important for us to get a positive result against Tanzania.”
Adding extra fanfare to Monday’s encounter, midfield maestro Linda Motlhalo stands on the brink of a monumental personal milestone. Should she be named in the starting lineup, Motlhalo will earn her 100th senior national team cap.
The stakes across WAFCON 2026—which officially kicked off on Sunday, 26 July and runs through 16 August—could not be higher. While Nigeria enters the tournament as defending champions, all 16 participating nations are playing for more than continental silverware: the four semi-finalists will secure automatic qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Rallying behind the squad, official team sponsors Sasol delivered a strong message of backing via Dean Somerset, Manager of Group Brand and Sponsorships.
“As Sasol Banyana Banyana take to the field to begin their WAFCON campaign, we wish Coach Desiree Ellis, the players and the technical team every success,” Somerset stated. “Through #NtswembuNamanje, we celebrate the strength, resilience and determination that define this team and remind them that an entire nation stands proudly behind them as they represent our country on the continental stage.”
