By Sihle NdebeleBanyana Banyana utility defender Bongeka Gamede says the door is still open for them to qualify for the quarterfinals of the ongoing Wafcon in Morocco, even though their fate is in Ivory Coast’s hands.Banyana remain bottom of Group B after drawing 2-2 against table-topping Ivory Coast in their second pool game in Casablanca on Friday, having been stunned by less-fancied Tanzania 2-1 in their tournament opener a few days earlier.To qualify for the quarterfinals, Banyana need to beat Burkina Faso in their last group stage match in Casablanca on Tuesday and hope Ivory Coast beat Tanzania in a synchronised Group B fixture.“We know what we want to achieve as a team. We believe that we still have a chance ... the door is still open for us to go to the quarter-finals,” Gamede said.The good news for Banyana is that Tanzania will be without instrumental midfielder Hasnath Ubamba against Ivory Coast, owing to a suspension following her red card in Friday’s 2-1 loss to Burkina Faso.Ubamba scored when Tanzania stunned South Africa. Tanzania’s main striker, Opah Clement, is also in doubt to face Ivory Coast after sustaining an injury against Burkina Faso, meaning Tanzania would be weaker, and that may favour Banyana.The four semifinalists at this Wafcon qualify for next year’s World Cup in Brazil.
Gamede insists Banyana can still reach Wafcon quarterfinals
Banyana’s last-eight hopes hinge on victory and a favour from group leaders Ivory Coast











