South Africa's WAFCON hopes hang in the balance after dramatic draw
South Africa secured a dramatic 2-2 draw against Ivory Coast in the Women's Africa Cup of Nations, keeping their tournament hopes alive. Despite the late comeback, the team must win their final group match against Burkina Faso to advance to the quarter-finals.
Why it matters
The outcome directly impacts qualification paths for the 2027 Women's World Cup.
South Africa snatched a dramatic 2-2 draw with Ivory Coast at the Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) on Friday, but their hopes of reaching the quarter-finals hang in the balance.
The Group B favourites are bottom of the table with just one point after two rounds in Moroccan commercial hub Casablanca. Ivory Coast have four points and Burkina Faso and Tanzania three each.
Former champions South Africa must beat Burkina Faso and hope Ivory Coast defeat Tanzania in the final group matches on Tuesday to survive.
Burkina Faso shrugged off conceding four goals against Ivory Coast last Monday to edge Tanzania 2-1 in the other match on Friday.
Before the two-yearly tournament kicked off last Sunday, South Africa were talking up chances of competing at back-to-back World Cup tournaments.
Brazil will host the 2027 edition and the four WAFCON semi-finalists automatically qualify for the 32-nation event.
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