{"id":18094,"date":"2026-08-01T10:06:00","date_gmt":"2026-08-01T07:06:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bangbet.com\/news\/?p=18094"},"modified":"2026-08-01T10:31:30","modified_gmt":"2026-08-01T07:31:30","slug":"south-africa-women-2-2-ivory-coast-wafcon-2026-thriller","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bangbet.com\/news\/sports-betting-news\/south-africa-women-2-2-ivory-coast-wafcon-2026-thriller\/","title":{"rendered":"South Africa Women 2-2 Ivory Coast: WAFCON 2026 Thriller\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Defending champions South Africa Women<\/strong> produced a spirited second-half comeback to secure a dramatic 2-2 draw against Ivory Coast Women<\/strong> in Round 2 of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON)<\/strong>. After trailing by two goals at halftime, Banyana Banyana showed the resilience of champions, with late heroics ensuring they claimed a crucial point in a thrilling encounter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For Kenyan football fans following WAFCON 2026, the result highlights just how competitive the tournament has become, with every point proving vital in the race for the knockout stages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ivory Coast Take Control Early<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Ivory Coast made an electric start and stunned South Africa with clinical attacking football.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The breakthrough came in the 18th minute<\/strong>, when G. Sery<\/strong> finished brilliantly after being set up by N. Ouedraogo<\/strong>, giving the Ivorians a deserved lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The duo combined once again in the 36th minute<\/strong>, as Ouedraogo delivered another excellent assist for Sery, who calmly slotted home her second goal of the match to double Ivory Coast’s advantage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa struggled to contain Ivory Coast’s pace and movement in the opening half and headed into the break trailing 2-0.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo courtesy<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Champions Respond After the Break<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

South Africa emerged from halftime with renewed determination, introducing H. Magaia<\/strong> immediately after the restart in a tactical move that transformed their attacking play.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pressure began to mount on Ivory Coast, although Sery picked up a booking in the 50th minute as the game became increasingly physical.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The breakthrough for Banyana Banyana finally arrived in the 71st minute<\/strong>. Star forward Thembi Kgatlana<\/strong> found the back of the net after a well-worked move involving R. Jane<\/strong>, reducing the deficit to 2-1 and reigniting South Africa’s hopes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Late Drama Seals a Memorable Draw<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The closing stages delivered high drama.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa thought they had equalized deep into stoppage time when H. Magaia<\/strong> scored, but the goal was ruled out following a VAR review in the 94th minute<\/strong>, leaving the defending champions frustrated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, they refused to surrender.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the 99th minute<\/strong>, Magaia finally got the goal she deserved, finishing brilliantly after an assist from R. Donnelly<\/strong> to complete an incredible comeback and rescue a deserved 2-2 draw<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The dramatic equalizer sparked celebrations among the South African players, while the Ivory Coast was left heartbroken after surrendering a two-goal lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo courtesy<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Key Match Highlights<\/h2>\n\n\n\n