The Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana became the third country to book their ticket to the 2024 TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations when they defeated Burkina Faso 2-nil (3-1 aggregate) after a 1-all draw in the first leg in Code d’Ivoire (Thursday, 30 November 2023).
The return leg took place at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville on Monday, 4 December with goals from Linda Motlhalo and Nicole Michael enough to help South Africa secure victory.
Along with hosts Morocco for next year’s WAFCON, the defending champions will be joined by Algeria who beat Burundi 1-0 away to register a 6-1 aggregate win following a comfortable 5-1 triumph in the first leg.
The North Africans make a welcome return to the women’s continental football showpiece after missing out on the 2022 instalment.
With only 12 slots available, there are nine tickets remaining and these will be decided on Tuesday, 4 December 2023.
Looking at the first round results, some teams are in danger of missing out on the Morocco spectacle, while others will need a miracle to overturn the outcome.
This will be South Africa’s 14th successive CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations since 1995.
At the Lucas Moripe Stadium, the defending champions had to grind out the results after a goalless opening half where goalkeeper Kaylin Swart managed to get South Africa out of trouble when she put her body on the line with a brave safe at the feet of an opponent.
In the second stanza the home side won a penalty which Motlhalo coolly slotted in the 56th minute.
Substitute Michael also got on the scoresheet four minutes from time for her first goal in national team colours and it was game, set and match.
There was also time for England-based Faith Nokuthula to make her debut, when she replaced Fikile Magama on the stroke of full-time.
“I thought in the first half we just couldn’t connect, we couldn’t find each other and we gave them a chance like we did in the first leg. Great save by Kaylin (Swart) right there in the beginning to keep us in the game. At half time we said just be a little bit more patient, move the ball around quicker, those one touch passes rather hold on to the ball because the spaces are going to going to open up and eventually the spaces open,” said Banyana Banyana Head Coach Desiree Ellis.
“But we could have had a lead at halftime as well, with the chances we created. Once again we lose concentration and we make mistakes which could have been costly you know if the player had taken the opportunity. I am just happy that we qualified, the travel wasn’t so fantastic but resilience by the players and a great fight. It’s been a long season, five-hour bus travel but they stuck it out and they showed true grit, that’s what champions do when it matters most. That is when they come through for the team, so we’re graduations to everybody left that was part of the match today.”
Earlier, long-serving Banyana Banyana defender Janine van Wyk made history by becoming the first player – male or female – to be the highest capped on the continent with 185 appearances, clipping out Ahmed Hassan of Egypt with just an extra cap.
She had taken the field wearing the captain’s armband but was withdrawn after eight minutes, making way for Lebohang Ramalepe.
After the match she was presented with a place for the most-capped footballer, a framed jersey indicating the number of games and some flowers.
Present at the event was Nocawe Mafu, Deputy Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture; Dr Danny Jordaan (SAFA President); Nozipho Mbatha (Sasol), Janine’s parents, well-wishers in the stands and members of her club JVW.
“Well, today wouldn’t have been a joyful one without a win and qualifying for another WAFCON. For me, it wasn’t about me today, yes, we celebrate the 185 caps but we had a very important match to play. We knew coming here it was not going to be an easy one especially drawing away from home, but we always know that coming back home, playing on our home ground, we would have that advantage as we always do with an amazing crowd that comes out. So, congratulations to the team and we wish them well for the next WAFCON to earn another title for us,” said Janine van Wyk after the match.
“But overall, this has just been a cherry on top of the cake of a lengthy career for me, a great fulfillment for me reaching this milestone, and what better way to do it with the national team at home. Yes, it’s been a long journey with Banyana Banyana and there’s been many ups and down moments, but these are the kind of moments that one strives for and to achieve every single dream that you have planned out for yourself from a young age and just reaching this last one is like I said a great performance for me, so thanks for all the support.”
Qualified teams for 2024 CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations:
| Team | Method of qualification | Date of qualification | Finals appearance | Last appearance | Previous best performance | FIFA ranking |
| Morocco | Hosts | 10 AUG 2022 | 4th | 2022 | Runners-up (2022) | (58) 4 |
| South Africa | Second round winners | 4 DEC 2023 | 14th | 2022 | Champions (2022) | 45 (2) |
| Algeria | 4 DEC 2023 | 6th | 2018 | Group stage(2004, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018) | 80 (10) |
TOTALENERGIES CAF WOMEN’S AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS QUALIFIERS:
Monday, 04 December
South Africa (1) 2 – (1) 0 Burkina Faso (SA won 3-1 on aggregate)
Burundi (1) 0 – (5) 1 Algeria (Algeria won 6-1 on aggregate)
Tuesday, 05 December
Namibia vs Ghana
Congo vs Tunisia
DR Congo vs Equatorial Guinea
Botswana vs Kenya
Egypt vs Senegal
Guinea vs Mali
Togo vs Tanzania
Zambia vs Angola
Cape Verde vs Nigeria
First Leg Results
Kenya 1-1 Botswana
Angola 0-6 Zambia
Tanzania 3-0 Togo
Tunisia 5-2 Congo
Nigeria 5-0 Cape Verde
Algeria 5-1 Burundi
Burkina Faso 1-1 South Africa
Mali 7-2 Guinea
Senegal 4-0 Egypt
Equatorial Guinea 1-1 DR Congo
Ghana 3-1 Namibia
South Africa will be back in action next year in February when they tackle Tanzania in the third round of the 2024 Paris Olympic qualifiers.
2024 Paris Olympic Games qualifiers:
Third round fixtures:
| 2024 CAF Women’s Olympic qualifying tournament third round | |||||||||
| Team 1 | Aggregate score | Team 2 | 1st leg | 2nd leg | |||||
| Ghana | – | Zambia | 19–28 Feb | 19–28 Feb | |||||
| Tunisia | – | Morocco | 19–28 Feb | 19–28 Feb | |||||
| Cameroon | – | Nigeria | 19–28 Feb | 19–28 Feb | |||||
| Tanzania | – | South Africa | 19–28 Feb | 19–28 Feb |
By Matlhomola Morake
