Banyana Banyana defender Karabo Dhlamini during training as South Africa prepare to face Nigeria in a play-off on Thursday. Banyana Banyana’s quest to qualify for the 2027 World Cup in Brazil is not yet over. Despite the recent complications, there is ample belief within the camp that they can still reach the promised land.
Banyanacrashed out of the Wafcon quarter-finals on Saturday after a 2-1 loss to hosts Morocco in Rabat. This result means they have failed to qualify directly for the global showpiece for the third consecutive time. However, all is not lost.
Reaching the quarter-finals has granted the team a second opportunity to qualify via the play-offs. It will be a challenging feat, requiring them to defeat rivals Nigeria in the continental play-off here in Casablanca on Thursday night, followed by victories in the inter-continental play-offs scheduled for late November and early February. Qualifying for the World Cup has proven fruitful for Banyana over the last two editions.
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Player profiles have grown significantly, with many securing moves abroad and gaining valuable international experience. Others, meanwhile, have seen their careers come full circle at the tournament. Karabo Dhlamini is a testament to this journey.
The left-back debuted on the global stage with the U17 national team, Bantwana, in 2018, before becoming the youngest player to make the Banyana World Cup squad during their 2019 debut in France at just 17 years old. Since that breakthrough, Dhlamini has attended her second World Cup with Banyana and has become a prolific figure for Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies, winning multiple titles, including two CAF Women’s Champions League trophies.
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