Grace Sery’s brace not enough for Lady Elephants as Banyana fought back to save face in Casablanca
Hilda Magaia’s last-gasp equaliser completed South Africa’s stunning comeback from 2-0 down to earn a 2-2 draw against Ivory Coast, leaving Banyana Banyana’s quarter-final hopes hanging in the balance.
South Africa produced a spirited second-half comeback to rescue a 2-2 draw against Ivory Coast in an enthralling 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Group C encounter, keeping their qualification hopes alive after recovering from a two-goal deficit.
Grace Sery gave the Lady Elephants the lead with a finish created by N’Sira Safi Ouedraogo before the same combination struck again to double Ivory Coast’s advantage, putting the 2014 quarter-finalists firmly in control.
Banyana Banyana responded through Thembi Kgatlana to reduce the deficit and piled on the pressure in the closing stages before Hilda Magaia dramatically fired home with virtually the last kick of the match to snatch South Africa’s first point of the tournament.
Ivory Coast, who opened their campaign with a 4-1 victory over Burkina Faso, moved onto four points from two matches and remain well placed to reach the quarter-finals.
Meanwhile, South Africa avoided consecutive defeats, although their chances of progressing could suffer a significant setback if Tanzania defeat Burkina Faso later on Friday.
