Banyana Banyana's Group B permutations at WAFCON ahead of crunch clash with Burkina Faso

[p]It is a do-or-die contest for Banyana Banyana, who cannot finish top of the pool and have only second place available to them after failing to win either of their opening two matches.[/p][p]Victory over [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/burkina-faso/U96KCev4/"]Burkina Faso[/a] will not necessarily be enough, though they will progress if [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/ivory-coast/2iLuzkms/"]Ivory Coast[/a] beat [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/tanzania/p2wIs1Ae/"]Tanzania[/a] in their fixture played at the same time.[/p][p]If [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/south-africa/23FeDl3D/"]South Africa[/a] win and the other game ends in a draw, then both Banyana Banayna and Tanzania will be on four points, but the East Africans will lead on head-to-head.[/p][p]If Banyana Banyana and Tanzania win, then both they and Ivory Coast will be on four points and it will come down to goal-difference. Banyana are on -1 and Ivory Coast +3, so it would need a big swing.  [/p][embed guid="367d5eb5-3e35-473b-967a-aa6f4ef0cc1c" url="https://x.com/Banyana_Banyana/status/2083820461968794042?s=20" social-type="twitter" /][p]There is no margin for error, with a draw or defeat certain to end their hopes of advancing to the knockout stages.[/p][p]That in turn would end their chances of reaching the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil, which would have been the minimum goal coming into the tournament in Morocco.[/p][p]The four semi-finalists at the continental qualifiers automatically book their berth at the global finals, while two of the losing quarter-finalists will enter FIFA’s inter-continental play-offs.[/p][p]A group stage exit and it would be the end of the road for coach Des Ellis’ side, and throw her future into doubt after a loss to Tanzania and a last-gasp come-from-behind draw with Ivory Coast. [/p][p]Burkina Faso will progress with either a win or a draw against South Africa, so may be inclined to sit back and absorb the pressure.[/p][p]They could also finish as group winners if they defeat Banyana Banyana and Ivory Coast fail to beat Tanzania.[/p][p]Ivory Coast are well placed to qualify and will finish top of the group with either a win or a draw against Tanzania, provided Burkina Faso do not defeat South Africa.[/p][p]Draws in both matches would see Ivory Coast finish as group winners and Burkina Faso claim second place, eliminating both South Africa and Tanzania.[/p][embed guid="5309fb91-b400-4fba-b300-807c5d35b62c" url="https://x.com/Banyana_Banyana/status/2083269006794936509?s=20" social-type="twitter" /][p]Tanzania also have their fate in their own hands and will progress with victory over Ivory Coast.[/p][p]They could advance with a draw if Burkina Faso fail to beat South Africa, while a win would see them finish top of the pool if the Burkinabe also fail to take all three points.[/p][p]Banyana Banyana have only twice before failed to reach the knockout stages at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, in 1998 and 2004.[/p][p]They have been defensively suspect in this tournament and also lacked their usual cutting edge up front, two factors they will need to put right against the Burkinabe. [/p][p]Their easiest path through remains a win and victory for the Ivory Coast. [/p][infobox id="89d8dac9-56aa-4b5e-897b-9c5da03c43e1" /]