South Africaâs quest for second Womenâs Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) title took a major blow when they were defeated 2-1 by Tanzania on Monday. Now Banyana Banyana are looking to shake off that shock opening-match loss of the 2026 edition by beating current Group B leaders Ivory Coast.

The two countries are in action on Friday, 31 July. The match begins at 7pm at the Moulay Rachid Stadium in Casablanca, Morocco. The South Africans know that they are under immense pressure, while the Ivorians (who beat Burkina Faso 4-1 in their opener), come into the clash with maximum confidence.

The Lady Elephants are playing in their first Wafcon tournament in 12 years. Before they pummelled Burkina Faso in their 2026 tournament opener, Ivory Coast had last featured at the premier competition of African womenâs soccer in 2014. That year they beat Banyana Banyana 1-0 to claim the bronze medal.

Having watched South Africa create numerous opportunities against Tanzania, but fail to take them, will bolster the Ivoriansâ belief that they can pile more pressure on Banyana Banyana. Despite their disastrous start against the Twiga Stars, Desiree Ellisâ charges are confident they can bounce back.

Banyana players speak

âIt was a tough pill to swallow [against Tanzania], because we didnât start the tournament the way we wanted. But itâs a tournament [not a once-off match]. We need to focus on the next games. We canât dwell on the past result,â said Banyana Banyana defender Karabo Dhlamini.

âThe is pressure on us, because Ivory Coast won their game. So they have momentum and we still have to fix ourselves. So, the pressure is on us because we canât drop any more points,â the versatile defensive player added.

âWe know that it will not be an easy game against Ivory Coast. But we will try our best to make sure we win the Ivory Coast game. It wonât be easy because teams on the continent have improved, and we also need to improve.â

Dhlaminiâs Mamelodi Sundowns teammate Isabella Ludwig echoed the sentiment of the pressure being on the South Africans. The 23-year-old made her Wafcon debut as a second-half substitute against Tanzania, and is hoping her country can attain the all-important win against the Elephants.

âThereâs definitely pressure. Itâs tough going into this game without the result we wanted against Tanzania. But itâs important that the team sticks together and we as players put our best foot forward to get the result that we need,â Ludwig said.

In her assessment of how exactly her team fell to defeat by Tanzania, Banyana Banyana coach Ellis identified the sideâs profligacy in front of goal, as well as some defensive frailties. However, Ellis praised the teamâs creative output.

Motlhalo the centurion

Banyana Banyanaâs most creative outlet, midfield maestro Linda Motlhalo, earned her 100th cap. She joined 12 other players who have managed the feat, including retired veterans such as Janine van Wyk, Noko Matlou, Portia Modise, as well stars from the current team: Bambanani Mbane and captain Refiloe Jane.

Motlhalo says the team have enough experience to climb out of the deep hole they dug for themselves when they lost to Tanzania.

âWe know what we are capable of, so weâll just do the work when we get to the field,â Motlhalo said. âAs players we understand that in football sometimes things donât go our way. But the biggest thing is to dig deep because there are still some games to be played.â

Itâs imperative that Banyana Banyana defeat Ivory Coast to keep their hopes of qualifying for the quarterfinals in their hands. Anything other than that will have the South Africans in major trouble.

If Banyana Banyana lose to the Elephants and Tanzania defeat Burkina Faso, South Africaâs 2026 Wafcon journey will be over. As will their hopes of qualifying for the 2027 World Cup in Brazil. Only the Wafcon semi-finalists automatically qualify for next yearâs global spectacle.

The losing quarterfinalists have a second chance to try to qualify for the World Cup, via a lengthy playoff route. DM