Tanzania upset former champions South Africa in WAFCON opener
Reading Time: 2min | Tue. 28.07.26. | 08:07
The win gives Tanzania a crucial three points in Group B ahead of Friday's meeting with Burkina Faso, while South Africa will look to bounce back when they face Côte d'Ivoire in their next fixture
Tanzania kicked off their CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) Morocco 2026 campaign in stunning fashion, defeating former champions South Africa 2-1 in their Group B opener at the Moulay Rachid Stadium in Casablanca on Monday.
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The victory marked Tanzania's first-ever win over South Africa at the WAFCON finals after the two sides were drawn together for a second consecutive tournament.
South Africa had won their previous meeting, while the other ended in a draw.
The East Africans made their intentions clear from the outset.
Captain Opa Tukumbuke nearly punished a defensive lapse in the 13th minute, only for goalkeeper Andile Dlamini to react quickly and keep the scores level.
Two minutes later, Banyana Banyana escaped another scare when Lebohang Ramalepe's looping back-header almost found its way into her own net, but Dlamini recovered in time.
South Africa gradually grew into the game and threatened through Hildah Magaia, whose effort from Thembi Kgatlana's clever pass drifted just over the crossbar.
Karabo Dhlamini then came within inches of breaking the deadlock with a powerful long-range strike that rattled the woodwork.
Despite South Africa's pressure, Tanzania struck first in the 37th minute.
Diana Msewa beat Bongeka Gamede before calmly slotting past Dlamini at the near post to hand the Twiga Stars a deserved lead.
Kgatlana nearly restored parity before the break, but goalkeeper Najiati Idrisa produced an excellent save from close range.
However, South Africa found an equaliser deep into first-half stoppage time when Bambanani Mbane reacted quickest to Idrisa's save, heading home to ensure the teams went into the interval level at 1-1.
The defending champions almost completed the turnaround moments after the restart, with Refiloe Jane going close to giving South Africa the lead.
Tanzania, though, had the final word.
Substitute Hasnath Ubamba emerged as the hero in the 86th minute, showing great composure to turn her marker before firing a low finish beyond Dlamini to seal a memorable victory.
The win gives Tanzania a crucial three points in Group B ahead of Friday's meeting with Burkina Faso, while South Africa will look to bounce back when they face Côte d'Ivoire in their next fixture.
