Banyana Banyana Aim to Start Strong in ’26 WAFCON Qualifiers

(The Post News)- Banyana Banyana, the senior women’s national football team of South Africa, will play the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) in Kinshasa on Wednesday night in the first leg of their doubleheader 2026 WAFCON qualifying match.

The squad with the best overall record will qualify for WAFCON Morocco. Banyana Banyana, a team that showed tenacity during training sessions, which began last weekend, has been energized by the recent addition of midfielder Linda Motlhalo, who brings poise and inventiveness to the group.

Captain Refiloe Jane knows what’s involved. “We are mostly focused on qualifying for WAFCON. What matters most are the outcomes. Since DR Congo has changed, it won’t be simple. To achieve a strong outcome, we must prepare well,” she stated. Her statements underline the team’s evident focus and eagerness to make a successful start against the Congolese side.

Banyana Banyana Seeks to Take Advantage in 1st Leg

Since they are hosting the opening leg, DR Congo appears to have a minor advantage. Yet Banyana Banyana are aiming to secure an advantageous advantage ahead of the return leg in Johannesburg next week.

Coach Thinasonke Mbuli noted the parallels between the two squads while acknowledging the difficulties both sides confront. “DR Congo and Banyana Banyana, in my opinion, are in a similar situation. Perhaps DR Congo benefited from being in a challenging group with Morocco and Zambia, but we lost our most recent WAFCON match against Ghana,” she remarked. “Those matches might have helped them prepare well for these qualifiers, even though they didn’t advance to the knockout stages.”

Banyana Banyana is fighting for more than simply a victory as they prepare for the match; they want to solidify their standing as a dominant force in African women’s football. The encounter on Wednesday seems to be more than simply a contest; it’s an important first step on their path to possible WAFCON 2026 triumph.

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Puleng Moloi

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I am a public relations graduate with quiet a passion for storytelling and a growing interest in journalism. I cover events and community stories with care, aiming to inform while learning from each assignment. I believe in thoughtful reporting, honest curiosity, and the power of listening.

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