South Africa will aim to recover from a surprise 2-1 loss to Tanzania when they meet Ivory Coast in Group B in Casablanca on Friday, according to the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
Ivory Coast began their campaign with a 4-1 win over Burkina Faso, with Strasbourg striker Inès Konan scoring twice and Rebecca Elloh and Nsira Ouedraogo also on target, WAFCON reported.
Banyana Banyana must finish at least second in Group B to reach the quarter-finals and preserve any chance of qualifying for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil, according to WAFCON. The tournament grants automatic World Cup berths to the four semi-finalists, with two further places to be decided via playoffs involving the losing quarter-finalists and the Inter-Confederation Playoffs.
Team news lists Robyn Moodaly-Salgado as a potential injury doubt after she took a knock and was substituted at half-time against Tanzania, WAFCON said. Expected lineups name Ivory Coast with Aramatou Diakité in goal; Katchi Yapo, Mariam Diakite, Anastasie Gbehi and Aïcha Fofana across the backline; Rebecca Elloh, Grace Sery, Bernadette Amani and Rosemonde Kouassi in midfield; and Ines Konan and Nsira Ouedraogo leading the attack. South Africa are projected to start Kaylin Swart in goal; Karabo Dhlamini, Bongeka Gamede, Bambanani Mbane and Lebo Ramalepe in defence; Refiloe Jane, Linda Motlhalo and Amogelang Motau in midfield; with Hildah Magaia, Thembi Kgatlana and Gabriela Moodaly-Salgado up front.
The match is scheduled for Friday, July 31 at 7 p.m. CAT (6 p.m. local time in Morocco and 6 p.m. BST) at the Moulay Rachid Stadium in Casablanca and will be shown on SuperSport and SABC, WAFCON confirmed. Additional notes: South Africa started with seven players aged 30 or older in the 2-1 defeat to Tanzania, and Robyn and Gabriela Moodaly-Salgado became the first known married couple to appear in the same WAFCON game, though they were not on the pitch at the same time.
