South Africa's campaign at the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations got off to a bumpy start, losing their opening game 2-1 to Tanzania in their Group B opener on Monday.
Regulars at the WAFCON and coming into the game with an enviable record as 2022 champions, South Africa's Banyana Banyana were tipped as favourites in this game, but they were left with more questions than answers as they failed to live up to the hype.
Tanzania's Twiga Stars, playing in only their third WAFCON, showed the progress they have made over time, having the better of the exchanges right from the start. They stunned the South Africans in the 37th minute when Diana Msewa's strike from the left beat goalkeeper Andile Dlamini.
Just before the break, Bambanani Mbane equalised, restoring her side's hope of finishing the game on top, but in the 87th minute, they received a rude shock when Hasnath Ubamba scored the second goal.
After scoring the goal, the Tanzanians tightened up their defence, making it impossible for the former champions to penetrate.
It is the first time that Banyana Banyana have lost an opening game since 2018. They face Côte d'Ivoire next on July 31 in a game that could play a key role in their fate so far as this year's campaign is concerned.
