Tanzania opened their 2026 CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a famous 2-1 victory over South Africa in a tightly contested Monday evening encounter at the Moulay Rachid Stadium.
Diana Msewa put Tanzania ahead after 38 minutes of the opening Group B match in Casablanca, before Bambanani Mbane restored parity during first-half added time.
With a scrappy contest seemingly heading for a draw, Hasnath Ubamba struck in the 87th minute for Tanzania, who sit 65 places below South Africa in the FIFA World Rankings.
“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 took them to win 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,” said a disappointed Banyana Banyana head coach, Dr. Desiree Ellis.
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South Africa vs Tanzania: Twiga Stars stun Banyana Banyana 2-1
This marked the second consecutive edition in which the two sides met in the same group and the third time they had faced each other at the CAF WAFCON finals.
Having won the first meeting while the second ended in a stalemate, the East Africans were determined to finally get a result against the former champions.
That intent was evident in the opening minutes as Tanzania threatened first in the 13th minute when skipper Opa Tukumbuke almost capitalized on a loose ball inside the box, but goalkeeper Andile Dlamini reacted quickly to make the save.
The former champions survived another scare two minutes later after a looping back header from Lebohang Ramalepe drifted toward goal, with Dlamini recovering just in time to prevent an own goal.
Banyana Banyana responded in the 17th minute when Thembi Kgatlana’s clever lay-off found Hildah Magaia, whose effort sailed inches over the crossbar.
South Africa continued to apply pressure, and midway through the half Karabo Dhlamini came agonizingly close with a powerful strike from distance that crashed against the woodwork.
Against the run of play, Tanzania broke the deadlock in the 37th minute through Diana Msewa, who beat Bongeka Gamede before slotting a composed finish beyond Dlamini at the near post.
Kgatlana almost pulled South Africa level in first-half stoppage time, but her close-range effort was brilliantly saved by goalkeeper Najiati Idrisa.
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With the match appearing destined to head into the break with Tanzania in front, Bambanani Mbane showed exceptional anticipation, reacting quickest to a save by Idrisa to head home the equalizer and send the sides into halftime level.
Returning from the recess, South Africa nearly completed the turnaround within seconds of the restart as Refiloe Jane came close to giving her side the lead.
Tanzania, however, had the final say as substitute Hasnath Ubamba produced a composed finish in the 87th minute, turning her marker before firing a low shot beyond Dlamini to seal a famous victory for the East Africans.
The result hands Tanzania a significant three points in Group B ahead of Friday’s clash against Burkina Faso, while South Africa will be left to regroup before facing Côte d’Ivoire on the same day.
