Kgtalana the hero as South Africa squeeze into Women's Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals

Thembi Kgatlana’s first-half strike settled the contest and, coupled with a 2-1 win for Ivory Coast over Tanzania in the other Group B match, earned Banyana Banyana second place in the pool.

The Ivorians topped the group with seven points, followed by South Africa on four, and Tanzania and Burkina Faso on three each.

South Africa now face Morocco in the quarter-finals in Rabat on Saturday, while the Ivorians take on a tough Algeria side in their last-eight clash in Casablanca on the same day.

The four semi-finalists in the tournament will qualify for the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil, while the losing quarter-finalists will play for two intercontinental play-off places to keep their dreams of reaching the global finals alive.

South Africa’s Hildah Magaia had an early chance on the left-hand side of the box, but as she tried to chip the ball into the far corner of the net, it went narrowly over the bar.

Burkina Faso should have taken the lead when some hesitant defending between Karabo Dhlamini and Bambanani Mbane saw them leave the ball for each other. Adama Congo raced clear but was denied in a one-on-one opportunity by goalkeeper Kaylin Swart.

Isabella Ludwig headed just wide for South Africa, and moments later Banyana Banyana took the lead in the 21st minute.

Noxolo Cesane’s low ball into the box was missed by Burkinabe defender Alimata Belem, whose failed clearance allowed Kgatlana to ghost in and score from close range.

Kgatlana fired over from the edge of the box following a clever free-kick routine with Refiloe Jane as South Africa took a 1-0 lead into the break.

Burkina Faso thought they had a penalty early in the second half when referee Aline Etong initially awarded a spot-kick for a foul by Mbane. However, following a Video Assistant Referee review, she decided the defender had got a touch on the ball and overturned her decision.

Ludwig missed a golden chance at the other end when Kgatlana’s ball from the right only needed to be turned home, but the midfielder could not get a strong enough touch.

Amogelang Motau blazed wide from a good position, while Kgatlana fired off target after spotting the goalkeeper off her line as she broke down the right.