South Africa Handed Clear Path as WAFCON Draw Is Confirmed
Banyana Banyana’s road to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil has taken shape after South Africa received a promising group-stage draw for the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), set to be hosted in Morocco from 17 March to 3 April.
Drawn into Group B, the reigning African champions will face Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso and Tanzania as they target a top-four finish that would secure qualification for the global showpiece in Brazil.
Head coach Desiree Ellis and her squad head into the tournament with renewed purpose after falling short of defending their continental crown at the previous edition. Having lifted the title in Morocco in 2022, Banyana Banyana return to familiar territory determined to reassert themselves among Africa’s elite and book another World Cup appearance.
The draw was conducted in Rabat on Thursday evening, placing South Africa at Rabat’s Al Madina Stadium for the group phase. The venue previously delivered a vibrant atmosphere during major international fixtures, something Banyana will hope works in their favour once again.
As one of the tournament’s top four seeds, South Africa were always expected to avoid the heaviest hitters in the early stages. Their Group B opponents have comparatively modest WAFCON records: Côte d’Ivoire last appeared in 2014, Burkina Faso made their debut in 2022, while Tanzania have featured twice, including the most recent finals held in Morocco.
Banyana Banyana, by contrast, boast an imposing pedigree. They have competed in every edition of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations and are one of only three nations to have lifted the trophy, alongside record holders Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea. That history, coupled with back-to-back World Cup appearances, underlines their status as genuine contenders.
The tournament format will see the top two teams from each of the four groups progress to the knockout stages, where World Cup qualification places will be decided. With margins tight and pressure high, every match will carry significant weight on the path to Brazil.
Having already proven they can conquer the continent on Moroccan soil, South Africa will be confident that this draw presents a genuine opportunity to go deep in the competition — and keep their World Cup journey alive.
WAFCON Morocco 2025 Draw
Group A (Rabat – Moulay Hassan Stadium)
Morocco
Algeria
Senegal
Kenya
Group B (Rabat – Al Madina Stadium)
South Africa
Côte d’Ivoire
Burkina Faso
Tanzania
Group C (Casablanca)
Nigeria
Zambia
Egypt
Malawi
Group D (Fes)
Ghana
Cameroon
Mali
Cape Verde
The 14th edition of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations will run from 17 March to 3 April in Morocco, doubling as Africa’s gateway to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.