South Africa's women's national soccer team qualified for the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations after defeating the Democratic Republic of Congo 1-0 at Dobsonville Stadium on Tuesday night. Thembi Kgatlana scored in the 91st minute to give Banyana Banyana a 2-1 aggregate victory over two legs. The defending champions from 2022 will compete in Morocco next March, with a chance to qualify for the 2027 Women's World Cup in Brazil.
Acting coach Thinasonke Mbuli guided the squad while head coach Desiree Ellis remains unsigned by the South African Football Association. Defender Lebohang Ramalepe earned player of the match honors for her defensive work against persistent Congo attacks in the second half. The tournament's top four finishers receive automatic World Cup berths.
Banyana held a slim advantage from the first leg, which ended in a 1-1 draw in Kinshasa on October 22. The team controlled possession early but faced mounting pressure before Kgatlana's late winner. Mbuli expressed concern about maintaining player fitness through the domestic league's December break ahead of the continental competition.
Acting coach Thinasonke Mbuli guided the squad while head coach Desiree Ellis remains unsigned by the South African Football Association. Defender Lebohang Ramalepe earned player of the match honors for her defensive work against persistent Congo attacks in the second half. The tournament's top four finishers receive automatic World Cup berths.
Banyana held a slim advantage from the first leg, which ended in a 1-1 draw in Kinshasa on October 22. The team controlled possession early but faced mounting pressure before Kgatlana's late winner. Mbuli expressed concern about maintaining player fitness through the domestic league's December break ahead of the continental competition.
