Nonhlanhla Mthandi backs battle-tested Banyana Banyana to weather Morocco storm

After a rocky group stage, Banyana Banyana rely on resilience and experience as they prepare to face hosts Morocco in a high-stakes WAFCON quarter-final. Photo: Backpagepix The challengesBanyana Banyanaendured in the WAFCON group stage have made them stronger as a team, which is why midfielder Nonhlanhla Mthandi is convinced they can weather any storm moving forward. Banyanaprogressed to the quarter-finals following an intense group campaign in Casablanca, where they fell to Tanzania, drew with Ivory Coast, and defeated Burkina Faso.

That mixed run of form left their qualification dependent on results elsewhere. Ivory Coast duly obliged in the final group fixture by beating the Twiga Stars, ensuring the Ivorians and South Africans finished first and second, respectively. Banyana’s second-place finish sets up a quarter-final clash against hosts Morocco at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium on Saturday night (10 pm SAST).

Given South Africa’s recent upper hand over the Atlas Lionesses – highlighted by their victory in the 2022 WAFCON final on Moroccan soil – expectations are high that lightning can strike twice. Mthandi understands the magnitude of the clash, which will see a sea of red pack the stands to rally behind the host nation. But with Banyana – fuelled by sponsor Sasol – well-versed in high-stakes matches, Mthandi is banking on the squad to prove its mettle once again.

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“Morocco is a very good team,” Mthandi noted. “We can’t underestimate them. We know it will be a competitive game. Sometimes you need to play the best to gauge where you are as a team.

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