Banyana Banyana stunned by late Tanzania winner in WAFCON opener

Banyana Banyana’s bid to make a strong start to their 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations campaign faltered as they fell to a 2-1 defeat against Tanzania on Monday night.

South Africa, the defending continental champions, were beaten in dramatic fashion when Hasnath Ubamba struck an 86th-minute winner, consigning Desiree Ellis’ side to their first-ever defeat against Tanzania in women’s international football.

Ellis’ team had gone into the Group Stage clash as clear favourites and controlled long spells of the match, but were punished for missed chances and two moments of quality from the East Africans.

Motlhalo brings up a century as Tanzania strike first

Linda Motlhalo marked her 100th cap with a place in the starting XI, while Thembi Kgatlana – absent from the 2022 WAFCON triumph – returned to lead the attack.

South Africa dominated possession from kick-off, pinning Tanzania back and forcing them into a deep defensive shape. Despite their control of the ball, Banyana struggled to turn territory into genuine opportunities during the opening 20 minutes, with the Tanzanian defence well-organised and compact.

Crosses from wide areas were repeatedly cleared by the Tanzanian backline, and although goalkeeper Najat Idrisa occasionally looked uneasy when dealing with high balls into the box, South Africa could not capitalise.

Against the run of play, Tanzania took the lead after 37 minutes. Diana Msewa drove forward on a powerful solo run before unleashing a shot that took a deflection and beat Andile Dlamini, silencing the South African support and handing Tanzania a surprise advantage.

Mbane levels before half-time

The lead, however, lasted only eight minutes. On the stroke of half-time, South Africa profited from an error by Idrisa, who failed to claim a corner cleanly and pushed the ball into the path of Bambanani Mbane. The defender reacted quickest, heading home from close range for her sixth goal in national team colours to make it 1-1 at the interval.

That equaliser appeared to shift momentum further towards Banyana, but Tanzania emerged from the break with far greater intent.

Msewa continued to trouble the South African defence in the second half, finding pockets of space in the final third and forcing Dlamini into several interventions to prevent Tanzania from quickly restoring their lead.

Missed chances prove costly

South Africa had the game’s clearest opportunity to turn it around in the 70th minute. Karabo Dhlamini created the opening with good work down the left flank before picking out Nthabiseng Majiya in the centre of the box. With only Idrisa to beat from around six yards, Majiya failed to hit the target, squandering a golden chance to put Banyana in front.

That miss would loom large in the closing stages.

With four minutes of normal time remaining, Tanzania struck decisively on the counter-attack. Ubamba received the ball on the left, slalomed her way into the area and drilled a low shot beyond Dlamini to restore Tanzania’s lead at 2-1.

South Africa denied late on

Banyana threw players forward in search of a second equaliser as the match moved into stoppage time. Idrisa, who had been uncertain earlier in the evening, produced a crucial save in the dying moments to claw away a volley from Refiloe Jane, preserving Tanzania’s advantage.

Tanzania held out under late pressure to secure their first-ever victory over Banyana Banyana and begin their 2026 WAFCON campaign with a statement result.

For Ellis and her players, the defeat leaves little margin for error in their remaining group fixtures.

South Africa now turn their attention to their next matches at the tournament:

– 31 July: South Africa v Ivory Coast – 04 August: Burkina Faso v South Africa

Both fixtures are likely to be pivotal as Banyana attempt to recover from their opening setback and keep alive their hopes of progressing in the competition.