Banyana Banyana Stunned by Tanzania: South Africa’s WAFCON 2026 Title Defence Off to the Worst Possible Start

Banyana Banyana have it all to do after suffering a shock 2-1 defeat to Tanzania in their opening Group B match at the 2026 CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Casablanca, Morocco. For South African football fans, it was a frustrating evening as the reigning African champions dominated possession but were punished for failing to convert their chances.

The defeat leaves Desiree Ellis’ side under immediate pressure heading into their remaining group-stage fixtures, with qualification for the knockout rounds now far from guaranteed.

Coming into the tournament, Banyana Banyana were widely tipped as one of the favourites after lifting the WAFCON trophy in 2022. However, football has a way of humbling even the best teams, and that’s exactly what happened in Casablanca.

South Africa enjoyed the lion’s share of possession and created several promising opportunities through Thembi Kgatlana, Hildah Magaia and Linda Motlhalo. But they simply couldn’t make their dominance count. Tanzania, meanwhile, stayed organised, defended with discipline and made the most of the chances that came their way.

The Twiga Stars opened the scoring in the 37th minute when Diana Msewa produced a superb solo effort before beating Andile Dlamini at her near post.

Just when it looked like South Africa would head into the break behind. Bambanani Mbane rose highest from a corner in stoppage time to head home the equaliser and give Banyana fresh hope.

Many South African supporters expected Ellis’ side to kick on after the interval, but instead Tanzania stayed compact and frustrated the African champions. Then, with only three minutes of normal time remaining, substitute Hasnath Ubamba burst into the box and fired home the winner to complete one of the biggest upsets of the tournament so far.

While the result was a bitter pill to swallow, there was one bright moment for South African football.

Midfield general Linda Motlhalo celebrated her 100th senior appearance for Banyana Banyana, becoming only the latest player to reach the landmark for the national side. It was a fitting recognition of her outstanding contribution to women’s football in South Africa, even if the occasion ended in disappointment.

Captain Refiloe Jane and coach Desiree Ellis now face one of their biggest tests since guiding South Africa to continental glory.

Before the tournament, Jane emphasised how important a strong start would be. Instead, Banyana now find themselves chasing points with very little room for error. Experienced campaigners including Jane, Motlhalo, Kgatlana, Mbane and goalkeeper Andile Dlamini will need to lead from the front if South Africa are to keep their WAFCON title defence alive.

As South African fans would say, it’s now time for Banyana to show real gees.

After losing their opener, every match now feels like a knockout fixture.

• South Africa vs Côte d’Ivoire – Friday, 31 July, Moulay Rachid Stadium, Casablanca.
• South Africa vs Burkina Faso – Tuesday, 4 August, Moulay Rachid Stadium, Casablanca.

Victory against Côte d’Ivoire would put Banyana firmly back in the race for the quarter-finals, while another defeat could leave South Africa needing favours elsewhere to stay in the competition.

This year’s WAFCON, running from 26 July to 16 August in Morocco, carries extra importance because it also serves as Africa’s qualification pathway for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.

The four semi-finalists qualify automatically for the World Cup, while two losing quarter-finalists will progress to an intercontinental play-off. That makes every point in the group stage crucial.

For a Banyana Banyana side that captured the hearts of South Africans by winning the 2022 title and reaching the Round of 16 at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, an early exit would be a major disappointment.

The quality is still there, the experience is still there, and Desiree Ellis has guided this squad through difficult moments before. But there’s no sugar-coating it. Banyana have backed themselves into a corner. The response against Côte d’Ivoire must be immediate if South Africa’s dream of retaining the WAFCON crown is to stay alive.