Tanzania stun champions South Africa in Wafcon Group B opener

Tanzania claimed their first ever Women’s Africa Cup of Nations victory with a shock 2-1 win over defending champions South Africa in Casablanca.

Banyana Banyana, widely expected to open their title defence with a win, were beaten by the lowest-ranked side in Group B at Moulay Rachid Stadium on Monday evening, with Diana Mnaly striking an 87th-minute winner.

Mnaly settled the contest late on, collecting the ball from a throw-in earned on the counter-attack before beating South Africa goalkeeper Andile Dlamini at her near post to seal a famous win.

Tanzania, ranked 122nd in the world and 18th in Africa, had already rattled the South African defence on several occasions and grew in confidence as the game wore on, while Banyana faded after the break.

South Africa coach Desiree Ellis had opted for continuity in her selection, naming a largely established line-up and choosing Dlamini ahead of Kaylin Swart in goal, despite both arriving at the tournament in excellent form. Dlamini had yet to concede this season for Mamelodi Sundowns in the Hollywoodbets Super League.

But Ellis’s side looked unusually flat and short of urgency for much of the second half, in stark contrast to the intensity that underpinned their 2022 triumph.

Tanzania strike first as South Africa struggle

The upset had been signposted before half-time. Tanzania took the lead in the 38th minute when Diana Mswewa robbed Robyn Moodaly of possession in midfield and drove straight through a disorganised South African back line.

Mswewa advanced into the box and finished past the onrushing Dlamini, with her effort taking a slight deflection off defender Bongeka Gamede on its way into the net.

South Africa had already shown signs of defensive vulnerability in dealing with direct balls over the top. On one such occasion, right-back Lebogang Ramalepe almost put through her own net as Banyana’s back line appeared at sixes and sevens under pressure.

Tanzania, who share Group B with South Africa, Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso, repeatedly threatened in transition and forced South Africa into desperate defending.

Bambanani Mbane produced two excellent sliding tackles in the second half to snuff out promising Tanzanian attacks, briefly steadying a side that otherwise looked unusually uncertain.

Mbane levels before interval but Banyana fade

Despite their struggles, South Africa did haul themselves level in first-half stoppage time, again through Mbane.

The centre-back rose to head in a well-delivered corner from Karabo Dhlamini after Tanzania goalkeeper Najat Idrisa had earlier made a superb save to deny Thembi Kgatlana. Idrisa was a standout performer before the interval, making several important stops to keep Banyana at bay.

The equaliser appeared to give South Africa a platform to push on, but they failed to build sustained pressure after the break.

Substitute Nthabiseng Majiya, introduced at half-time in place of Moodaly, spurned South Africa’s best chance of the second period around the 70-minute mark when she was unable to properly connect with an inviting cross whipped in by Dhlamini.

Beyond that opportunity, Ellis’s side created little of note, and their increasingly disjointed display contrasted sharply with Tanzania’s disciplined defending and opportunistic counter-attacks.

The match also marked a personal milestone for Linda Motlhalo, who earned her 100th cap for Banyana Banyana, but the landmark occasion was overshadowed by the result and performance.

By the final whistle, South Africa’s frustration was evident, with their display described as almost unrecognisable from the team that lifted the trophy two years ago.

Ellis and her squad now face a key response when they meet Ivory Coast at the same venue on Friday (19:00 SA time), as they look to revive their campaign in a group that also includes Burkina Faso.