Tanzania stunned South Africa’s Banyana Banyana with a 2-1 victory in their opening Group B match of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
Goals in either half were enough for the Twiga Stars to claim a shock win over the 2022 champions. Diana Msewa opened the scoring in the 37th minute before Bambanani Mbane equalised deep into first-half stoppage time.
South Africa returned after the break looking determined to find the winner and created several chances, but Tanzania defended resolutely before snatching victory late on. Hasnath Ubamba capitalised on defensive lapses to restore Tanzania’s lead in the 87th minute, sealing a famous win for the East Africans.
Speaking after the match, Banyana Banyana head coach Desiree Ellis admitted her side made life difficult for themselves and described the goals they conceded as poor.
“Goals win games, we knew what Tanzania was going to do, but the two goals we conceded were poor. They had two chances and they scored them and won the game. I said before the match that it was going to be a very difficult match, but we also made life difficult for ourselves,” Ellis said.
Next game must win- Ellis
Following the defeat, Ellis declared South Africa’s remaining Group B matches against Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso as must-win encounters.
“I felt that all three games were going to be difficult, but a good start would have given us the momentum, and now the next match becomes a final before the final; it’s a must-win, and also the game after that. We still have it in us; it wasn’t a good day at the office, we can be better than that. We cannot drop any more points, and with only two teams progressing to the next round, we’ve to put our best foot forward. It was known that we had it in us to get positive results, and for that we are disappointed.”
Earlier, Ivory Coast defeated Burkina Faso 4-1 to move top of Group B on three points, level with Tanzania on points but ahead on goal difference. South Africa sit third in the group, while Burkina Faso are bottom without a point.
