South Africa kept their 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) campaign alive after Hildah Magaia scored deep into stoppage time to rescue a dramatic 2-2 draw against Ivory Coast in their Group B clash in Casablanca, Morocco. According to ChannelsTv, Ivory Coast appeared on course for victory after 18-year-old Grace Sery struck twice in the first half to establish a 2-0 lead. However, Thembi Kgatlana reduced the deficit midway through the second half before Magaia found the equaliser in the ninth minute of added time after earlier having a goal ruled out for offside.
The result leaves Group B finely poised heading into the final round of matches. Ivory Coast remain top of the standings with four points, while Tanzania and Burkina Faso each have three points, and defending champions South Africa sit bottom with one point. South Africa must now defeat Burkina Faso in their final group match and rely on Ivory Coast avoiding defeat against Tanzania to stand a chance of progressing to the quarter finals.
The comeback underlines South Africa’s resilience and preserves their hopes of qualifying for both the WAFCON knockout stage and the qualification pathway for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup. For African women’s football, the closely contested group highlights the growing competitiveness of the tournament, with emerging teams increasingly challenging the continent’s traditional powerhouses.
Looking ahead, South Africa face a must win encounter against Burkina Faso, while Ivory Coast take on Tanzania in a decisive battle for top spot in Group B. The final round of fixtures will determine the quarter finalists and could produce further surprises in one of the tournament’s most competitive groups.
