Tanzania stun former champions South Africa in WAFCON 2026
Tanzania produced one of the biggest upsets of the 2026 CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) after defeating former champions South Africa 2-1 in their Group B opener at the Moulay Rachid Stadium in Casablanca on Monday. The victory marked Tanzania's first win over Banyana Banyana. . .
Tanzania produced one of the biggest upsets of the 2026 CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) after defeating former champions South Africa 2-1 in their Group B opener at the Moulay Rachid Stadium in Casablanca on Monday. The victory marked Tanzania's first win over Banyana Banyana at the WAFCON finals after losing their previous meeting and drawing the other. The East Africans made a bright start and threatened early through captain Opa Tukumbuke before South Africa gradually took control, with Hildah Magaia and Karabo Dhlamini both going close to opening the scoring. Despite South Africa's dominance, Tanzania struck first in the 37th minute when Diana Msewa beat her marker before calmly slotting past goalkeeper Andile Dlamini. Banyana Banyana responded deep into first-half stoppage time as Bambanani Mbane reacted quickest inside the penalty area to head home the equaliser after Tanzania goalkeeper Najiati Idrisa had made an initial save. South Africa nearly completed the comeback moments after the restart, but Tanzania remained organised and continued to threaten on the counterattack. Their persistence paid off four minutes from time when substitute Hasnath Ubamba showed great composure to beat her defender before drilling a low effort beyond Dlamini to restore Tanzania's lead. The victory hands Tanzania a valuable three points to begin their Group B campaign and boosts their hopes of reaching the knockout stage. They will next face Burkina Faso on Friday, while South Africa must bounce back against Côte d'Ivoire to keep their title defence on track.