Banyana Banyana defender Bambanani Mbane has urged South Africa to quickly put the disappointment of their 2-1 quarter-final defeat to hosts Morocco behind them as they turn their attention to a crucial clash with Nigeria for a place in the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup play-off pathway.
South Africa’s title defence ended in heartbreaking fashion on Saturday after Morocco came from behind to defeat the defending champions in Rabat, denying Desiree Ellis’ side automatic qualification for the World Cup.
Mbane admitted that the result was difficult to accept, but stressed that the Banyana Banyana still have an important opportunity ahead of them.
“We are disappointed because we wanted to go further, but we cannot stay in that disappointment. We have to pick ourselves up and prepare for the next game,” Mbane said.
That next assignment is against Nigeria on Thursday, August 13, in Casablanca, with the two former African champions now meeting in a high-stakes World Cup play-off after both suffered quarter-final exits.
Mbane believes the squad must maintain its focus despite the emotional setback against Morocco.
“It is difficult after losing a game like that, but we still have hope. The World Cup is still achievable and we have to give everything in the next match,” she added.
The Nigeria clash will be played at Stade Moulay Rachid in Casablanca, with kick-off scheduled for 9pm Nigerian time on Thursday.
For both teams, the encounter represents another opportunity to keep their World Cup dreams alive. Nigeria lost 1-0 to Cameroon in their quarter-final, while South Africa fell 2-1 to Morocco. The losers of the upcoming play-off will see their hopes of reaching Brazil 2027 come to an end.
Mbane and her teammates will therefore have little time to dwell on their WAFCON disappointment as Banyana Banyana prepare for another major battle against one of Africa’s traditional women’s football powerhouses.
