Tanzania pulled off the first major upset of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations after defeating defending champions South Africa 2-1 in their Group B opener in Casablanca on Monday, Trybal News reports.
Despite dominating possession and creating the better chances, Banyana Banyana failed to make their superiority count. Tanzania, meanwhile, stayed clinical and punished South Africa with two well-taken goals to claim a famous victory.
The result leaves the 2022 champions under immediate pressure in a difficult group that still includes Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso. The tournament also serves as a qualifier for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil, with the four semifinalists securing automatic qualification. The two losing quarterfinalists will advance to the intercontinental play-offs.
South Africa created the first clear opportunity when Sinoxolo Cesane found herself in a promising position but scuffed her effort. Tanzania responded soon after by splitting the South African central defence, only for their shot to go straight at goalkeeper Andile Dlamini.
Banyana continued to threaten as Hildah Magaia, the heroine of South Africa’s 2022 WAFCON triumph, fired over the crossbar after timing her run perfectly into the box. Karabo Dhlamini then came close to opening the scoring when her deep cross crashed against the crossbar with Tanzania goalkeeper Najiat Abass beaten.
However, against the run of play, Tanzania struck first in the 37th minute. Diana Msewa collected the ball about 35 yards from goal before driving into the penalty area. Her low effort took a deflection off South Africa defender Bongeka Gamede before finding the back of the net.
South Africa almost responded immediately through Thembi Kgatlana, but Abass produced an excellent save to keep her side in front. From the resulting corner, though, the Tanzanian goalkeeper failed to deal with the delivery, allowing Bambanani Mbane to head home from close range for her sixth international goal in her 104th appearance.
Tanzania nearly regained the lead before the break when Hasnath Ubamba’s free-kick from the edge of the area appeared destined for the top corner. However, Dlamini produced a superb full-length save to keep the scores level.
South Africa then missed a golden opportunity to take control of the contest. Dhlamini delivered a pinpoint cross into the box, but Nthabiseng Majiya guided her close-range header wide with the goal at her mercy.
Tanzania made South Africa pay for those missed chances in the 87th minute. Ubamba produced a brilliant run down the left flank before cutting inside and drilling a low shot past Dlamini at her near post to seal a memorable victory.
The match also marked a personal milestone for South Africa midfielder Linda Motlhalo, who earned her 100th appearance for Banyana Banyana and became the 13th player to reach the landmark for the national team.
Tanzania’s victory gives them an early advantage in Group B and delivers one of the biggest surprises of the tournament so far, while South Africa must now recover quickly to keep their hopes of defending the continental title and qualifying for the 2027 Women’s World Cup alive.
