Hildah Magaia scored nine minutes into stoppage time to earn South Africa a dramatic 2-2 draw against Ivory Coast on Friday in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.
Ivory Coast appeared set for a major victory after taking a 2-0 lead into the break in the Group B encounter in Casablanca, courtesy of an impressive first-half brace from 18-year-old Grace Sery.
South Africa, however, responded after the interval, with Thembi Kgatlana reducing the deficit midway through the second half before substitute Magaia completed the comeback deep into added time.
Magaia had earlier seen a goal ruled out for offside, but moments later she latched on to a headed pass from Ronnel Donnelly and fired past goalkeeper Aramatou Diakite to secure a valuable point for the defending champions.
Ivory Coast remain top of Group B with four points, followed by Tanzania on three points, South Africa on one, and Burkina Faso without a point.
Tanzania, who scored a late winner against South Africa four days earlier, face Burkina Faso later on Friday and will seal a place in the quarter-finals if they claim maximum points.
In the final group matches on Tuesday, Ivory Coast will face Tanzania, while South Africa take on Burkina Faso.
South Africa must defeat Burkina Faso to keep their knockout-stage hopes alive and maintain their push for a second consecutive appearance at the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Brazil will host the 2027 Women’s World Cup, with the four WAFCON semi-finalists qualifying automatically for the expanded 32-team tournament. The losing quarter-finalists will have another opportunity to qualify through play-offs, first in Morocco and later through an intercontinental tournament.
Sery opened the scoring in the 18th minute and added her second goal in the 36th, with both strikes set up by fellow teenager N’Sira Ouedraogo, as Ivory Coast punished a slow start from South Africa, who made four changes following their defeat to Tanzania.
The teenage duo, who play together at Danish club Nordsjaelland, caused problems throughout the first half with their pace and attacking intensity.
Needing a result to avoid a potential early exit, South Africa increased the pressure after the break against an Ivory Coast side ranked 15 places below them in the world standings.
Kgatlana revived South Africa’s hopes in the 71st minute, cutting inside Aicha Fofana before firing past Diakite.
Magaia then completed the comeback in stoppage time, beating the Ivorian goalkeeper at her near post to preserve South Africa’s hopes of progressing.
