South Africa came from two goals behind to draw 2-2 with Cote d’Ivoire in a dramatic TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2026 Group B match on Friday, preserving their hopes of reaching the quarter-finals.
Grace Sery scored twice in the first half to put Cote d’Ivoire in control, but South Africa responded strongly after the interval. Thembi Kgatlana pulled one goal back before Hildah Magaia completed the comeback in the closing stages to secure a valuable point for Banyana Banyana.
Cote d’Ivoire started with greater attacking intent and came close to taking the lead after 15 minutes. Amon Elloh created space for a curling effort, but her attempt drifted narrowly wide of the South African goal.
The breakthrough arrived three minutes later. A swift Ivorian counter-attack opened up the South African defence and sent 18-year-old forward Grace Sery through on goal. She remained composed under pressure, calmly placing her finish beyond South Africa goalkeeper Kaylyn Swart.
South Africa attempted to respond immediately and nearly levelled in the 20th minute. Bongeka Gamede rose to meet a cross, but her header cleared the crossbar.
Instead, Cote d’Ivoire extended their advantage before half-time, with Sery scoring her second goal in a strikingly similar move. N’sira Ouedraogo released the teenager with a perfectly weighted lobbed pass, and Sery again showed composure to finish beyond Swart.
The two-goal deficit forced South Africa to change approach after the break. Banyana Banyana returned with greater purpose, enjoyed more possession and began to apply sustained pressure as they looked for a route back into the match.
Their persistence was rewarded in the 71st minute. South Africa captain Refilwe Jane found Kgatlana, who cut inside before unleashing an unstoppable shot that flew beyond Cote d’Ivoire goalkeeper Aramatou Diakite.
The goal transformed the momentum of the contest. South Africa continued to press forward, while Cote d’Ivoire faced increasing pressure as Banyana Banyana chased an equaliser.
That pressure finally produced a second goal in the closing stages. Ronnel Donnelly headed a perfectly weighted lay-off into the path of Hildah Magaia, who kept her composure and finished clinically to complete a memorable recovery.
The result leaves Group B finely poised before the final round of fixtures. Cote d’Ivoire remain in a strong position on four points, while South Africa’s first point of the tournament keeps their hopes of qualifying for the knockout stage alive.
Having trailed by two goals at half-time, South Africa will take confidence from the character shown in the second half. Cote d’Ivoire, meanwhile, will regret allowing a commanding position to slip away after Sery’s early double had placed them firmly in control.
