A weakened Banyana Banyana will face DR Congo in a must win WAFCON qualifying tie.
Banyana Banyana will be without head coach Dr Desiree Ellis and four key players on Wednesday for the first leg of the team’s vital Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) qualifier against the Democratic Republic of the Congo at the Pentecost Martyrs Stadium in Kinshasa.
Mexico-based Thembi Kgatlana, Hilda Magaia, Sinoxolo Cesane and Amogelang Motau will only link up with the national team upon their return to Johannesburg for the second leg fixture against the DRC, according to SAFA.
Kgatkana missed out on this year’s WAFCON due to personal reasons, while Magaia, Cesane and Motau were all part of the recent edition. All four were members of South Africa’s WAFCON winning team in 2022 and bring valuable experience and composure to the team.
According to iDiski Times, assistant coach Thinasonke Mbuli will be in charge of the team in Kinshasa in Ellis’ absence as she is reportedly wrapped up in contract negotiations with SAFA over an extension.
South Africa were given a bye in the first round of qualifying as the second-best ranked Africa team, according to FIFA’s rankings while the DRC powered past Botswana with a 2-0 win on aggregate in their first round tie.
The two-legged playoff carrier major implications. The winner of the tie will qualify for the 2026 WAFCON, where the semi-finalists at the tournament will gain automatic qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil. The teams that lose in the quarterfinal will go into a playoff where the two winners will gain entry into the World Cup Play-Off Tournament.
Therefore, victory over DR Congo and qualification for WAFCON are vital to South Africa’s hopes of returning to the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The DR Congo’s boast a strong side, bolstered by the improved performance of the country’s clubs on the continent. TP Mazembe, a Congolese club, are holders of the CAF Women’s Champions League title after defeating AS FAR of Morocco 1-0 in last year’s final.
Banyana Banyana will aim to return home with an advantage before facing DR Congo again on Tuesday, 28 October 2025, at the Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg.
