CAPE TOWN – Banyana Banyana have secured their spot in the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over DR Congo in the second-leg qualifier at Dobsonville Stadium on Tuesday night, sealing a 2-1 aggregate win.
A clinical strike from Thembi Kgatlana was enough to seal victory for the South African senior women’s national team, ensuring their qualification for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
After playing to a 1–1 draw in Kinshasa in the first leg last week, Banyana Banyana returned home with a crucial away-goal advantage heading into the decisive second leg.
The home side were dominant in the first half, controlling possession and creating multiple scoring opportunities, while the second half saw DR Congo grow in confidence and threaten on the counter.
Despite the mounting pressure, the home side held firm until Kgatlana’s strike confirmed the result.
“I mentioned yesterday that we had to win and yes, we were frustrated towards the end of the game because it was 0-0 and they were coming at us. I give credit to the defenders for absorbing the pressure,” said acting coach Thinasonke Mbuli.
Image: @Banyana_Banyana/Twitter.
