2022 African champs Sasol Banyana Banyana delivered a powerful statement, defeating WAFCON 2026 hosts Morocco 2-0 in a hard-fought international friendly at the Adrar Stadium in Agadir, on Tuesday, 2 December 2025.
In a highly anticipated rematch of the 2022 final, Dr Desiree Ellis’s squad showed excellent form and defensive discipline to secure a memorable victory on Moroccan soil, as preparations continue for the 2026 continental tournament.
The first half of the match was a tense affair, typical of the rivalry between these two African giants, and the Atlas Lionesses captain, Ghizlane Chebbak, led her midfield to support a relentless attack, particularly through Sakina Ouzraoui and Sanaâ Mssoudy.
Despite the loss of the Banyana Banyana captain Refiloe Jane to injury in the 29th minute, the SA defence held firm, anchored by Bambanani Mbane and an ever-reliable backline, with keeper Andile Dlamini faultless in the final position.
Banyana’s best moments often came on the counter, requiring some strong interventions from Moroccan defender Aziza Rabbah, but the teams went into the half-time break with the score tied nil-all.
The match broke open in the second half, with both sides turning up the pressure. The hosts pressured the SA defence on multiple occasions, Chebbak a continual threat on the right wing, and Imane Saoud blasted a shot that whistled just right of the post, before the decisive breakthrough which came for the visitors in the 70th minute.
A brilliant move saw midfielder Karabo Dhlamini draw defenders right to the Moroccan goal line before booting the ball back to the far side of the box, where a patient Nonhlanhla Mthandi brought the ball under control before unleashing a cannonball that ricocheted off defender Aziza Rabbah, wrong-footing keeper Khadija Er-Rmichi and burying itself in the goal’s top right-hand corner, stunning the local fans into silence.
The goal injected renewed confidence into the South African side, and when Morocco brought on fresh legs to push for an equaliser, South Africa resolutely countered every attack, pouncing in lightning-fast counter-attacks.
The victory was sealed in the 86th minute when an error by Nouhaila Benzina unleashed Noxolo Cesane to use her pace to race away from the defenders and tuck away the second goal with a clinical finish, ensuring the 2-0 scoreline stood until the final whistle.
The victory not only maintains Banyana Banyana’s strong record against the Atlas Lionesses, but provides crucial momentum in their preparations for the upcoming WAFCON tournament.
Banyana Banyana Starting XI
1 Andile Dlamini (GK)
7 Karabo Dhlamini
3 Bongeka Gamede
13 Bambanani Mbane
5 Fikile Magama
15 Refiloe Jane (C)
22 Amogelang Motau
10 Linda Motlhalo
6 Noxolo Cesane
14 Nonhlanhla Mthandi
9 Nthabiseng Majiya
Substitutes
Casey Gordon (GK)
Bonolo Mokoma
Bongiwe Thusi
Isabella Ludwig
Asanda Hadebe
Antonia Maponya
Regina Mogolola
Jessica Wade
Unathi Simayile
Dineo Magagula (GK)
Atlas Lionesses Starting XI
1 Khadija Er-Rmichi (GK)
25 Rania Boutiebi
14 Aziza Rabbah
3 Nouhaila Benzina
17 Hanane Ait El Haj
6 Élodie Nakkach
10 Najat Badri
7 Ghizlane Chebbak (C)
19 Sakina Ouzraoui
20 Imane Saoud
18 Sanaâ Mssoudy
Original Copy: SAFA Media, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: A hard-earned moment of celebration breaks through after Noxolo Cesane nets Banyana Banyana’s second goal away to beat WAFCON 2026 hosts Morocco two-nil at the Adrar Stadium in Agadir, Morocco, on Tuesday, 2 December, 2025. Photo: Sasol in Sport
Photo 2 Caption: Nonhlanhla Mthandi was the first to find the back of the net and break the deadlock in the 70th minute, with both sides scrambling to gain the upper hand.
Photo 2 Caption: Noxolo Cesane doubled South Africa’s advantage after 86’ in a display that will encourage Dr Desiree Ellis in her team’s WAFCON preparations.
