Banyana Start WAFCON With Loss To Tanzania

Photo by Zamani Makautsi/Gallo Images

Banyana Banyana started their 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a 2-1 loss to Tanzania on Monday night.

Fixture: South Africa v Tanzania
Score: 1-2
Goalscorers: Mbane (45+2′) / Mswea (37), Ubamba (87′)

Coach Desiree Ellis gave a start to Linda Motlhalo, who was making her 100th appearance for the national team while Thembi Kgatlana, who missed the last WAFCON in 2022, started in the attack.

The South Africans dominated possession from the onset as they looked to get off to a lively start against a Tanzanian outfit, who were happy to sit back and soak up the pressure although Ellis’ troops were unable to carve out any chances in the opening 20 minutes.

Banyana had to be patient in their approach for most of the first half as the Tanzania defenders were dealing with every cross coming into the box, although goalkeeper Najat Idrisa did not look too convincing under the high-ball.

However, South Africa were stunned into silence on 37 minutes when Diana Msewa embarked on a fine solo run before firing past goalkeeper Andile Dlamini via a deflected effort to hand Tanzania the lead against the run of play.

Tanzania’s lead only lasted eight minutes when Idrisa failed to deal with a corner and parried the ball into the path of Bambanani Mbane, who headed the ball home for her sixth goal in national team colours.

The East African nation came out a lot more livelier in the second period in an attempt to regain their lead, with Msewa causing a lot of problems in the final third, which needed Dlamini to be at her best to keep South Africa in the contest.

Ellis’ charges should have completed the turnaround in the 70th minute when Karabo Dhlamini turned provider on the left flank to pick out Nthabiseng Majiya, who failed to hit the target with only the goalkeeper to beat from six yards out.

However, Banyana were hit on the counter with four minutes left on the clock as Tanzania restored their lead through Hasnath Ubamba, who did superbly to weave her way into the box from left flank before sending a low strike beyond Dlamini.

The South Africans pushed for the equaliser in the equaliser in the latter stages but they were unable to find a way past Idrisa, who pulled off a vital save in stoppage time to keep out Refiloe Jane’s volley as Tanzania held on for their first win against Banyana.

Banyana’s Next Fixtures:

31 July: South Africa v Ivory Coast

04 August: Burkina Faso v South Africa

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