South Africa goalkeeper Andile Dlamini says the team will judge their 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations campaign a success only if it ends with qualification for the 2027 Women’s World Cup – and with the country “happy” again.
The Banyana Banyana, African champions in 2022 but only fourth at the 2024 edition, head to Morocco determined to reclaim their place at the summit of women’s football on the continent.
Sixteen of Africa’s top women’s national teams will gather for the 2026 tournament, which doubles as the main qualifying route for the expanded 2027 Women’s World Cup.
‘No room for negativity’
Dlamini, who was named best goalkeeper at the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, arrives in Morocco in outstanding form, having kept four consecutive clean sheets in the build-up.
“Aborder ce tournoi avec quatre matchs sans encaisser de but est tres important. Cela a renforce ma confiance. Je n’y suis pas parvenu seul. C’est grace a l’equipe, a mes coequipiers. Pour moi, garder nos cages inviolees ne se resume pas a faire des arrets, mais aussi a bien communiquer. Je suis reconnaissant d’avoir confiance. J’ai confiance en moi, en mes coequipiers et en mes coequipiers. Nous abordons ce tournoi avec un etat d’esprit positif, et il n’y aura aucune place pour la negativite”, confie-t-elle au site de la CAF.
The 31-year-old is expected to be a key figure again for South Africa, whose recent defensive solidity will be crucial in a tournament where margins are often tight.
From continental disappointment to renewed ambition
South Africa’s rapid rise in the women’s game was underlined when they won their first continental title in 2022, breaking Nigeria’s long-standing dominance.
However, they could not repeat that feat in 2024, finishing fourth – a result widely seen as a setback for a side that had just reached the knockout stages of the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
That disappointment now serves as motivation. The squad travels to Morocco with renewed resolve to show that 2022 was not a one-off and that they remain among Africa’s leading forces.
World Cup the real prize
Beyond the race for the African title, the 2026 tournament carries added weight: it acts as a springboard to the 2027 Women’s World Cup.
To remain in contention for a place at the global finals, Banyana Banyana must at least reach the quarter-finals. Victory in a quarter-final would secure a semi-final berth and, with it, an automatic World Cup spot.
If they were to fall at the quarter-final stage, South Africa would still have a second chance through play-offs, where they would compete for one of the remaining two African tickets to the World Cup.
For Dlamini, the equation is simple – a strong Women’s AFCON is one that ends with a World Cup berth.
“Notre succes, ce sera de rendre tous les Sud-Africains heureux, de nous rendre heureux nous-memes, de rendre l’equipe technique heureuse et de realiser tout ce que nous avons prevu. Le succes, c’est de nous qualifier pour la Coupe du monde”.
Pressure and expectation
Expectations in South Africa are high after the team’s progress over the past decade, and the players are aware that the country now demands consistent performances on the biggest stages.
With a settled core of experienced internationals, combined with emerging talent, Banyana Banyana believe they have the individual quality and collective organisation to compete with the continent’s best once again.
Dlamini’s confidence, leadership and recent form provide a focal point for that belief – and she insists the mood in camp is firmly fixed on positivity as the countdown to kick-off continues in Morocco.
