South Africa head coach Desiree Ellis insists her squad must prepare thoroughly for their upcoming match against Nigeria’s Super Falcons. This follows Banyana Banyana’s recent 2-1 loss to Morocco, which ended their primary campaign in the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
Nigeria also enters the match following a narrow 1-0 defeat to Cameroon during their quarter-final showdown at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca. The two nations are now set to face off in a play-in fixture this Thursday at the Moulay Rachid Stadium.
The victor of this contest will progress to the inter-confederation play-offs. This subsequent tournament, scheduled for late 2026, will determine the final three participants representing their region at the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Ellis acknowledged the frustration of their current situation but emphasized the importance of staying focused. She noted that while this path to qualification was not their preference, the team must prioritize rapid physical and mental recovery to seize this remaining opportunity.
