The victory at the Moulay Rachid Stadium in Casablanca will go down as one of Tanzania’s biggest results in women’s football, with Twiga Stars showing resilience, discipline, and determination to overcome one of Africa’s most established teams
Dar es Salaam. Tanzania’s national women’s football team, Twiga Stars, made a flying start to their Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) Morocco 2026 campaign after defeating defending champions South Africa 2-1 in a tightly contested Group B encounter on July 27, 2026.
The victory at the Moulay Rachid Stadium in Casablanca will go down as one of Tanzania’s biggest results in women’s football, with Twiga Stars showing resilience, discipline, and determination to overcome one of Africa’s most established teams.
The two sides were meeting for the third time at the WAFCON finals and for the second consecutive tournament in the same group.
South Africa had won their first meeting, while the previous encounter ended in a draw, leaving Tanzania determined to secure maximum points this time around.
Twiga Stars started brightly and created the first clear opportunity in the 13th minute when captain Opa Tukumbuke almost capitalised on a loose ball inside the penalty area, but South Africa goalkeeper Andile Dlamini reacted quickly to deny her.
Two minutes later, Banyana Banyana survived another scare when Lebohang Ramalepe’s looping back header nearly caught Dlamini off guard, forcing the goalkeeper to make a desperate recovery to prevent an own goal.
South Africa responded through their experienced attackers, with Thembi Kgatlana creating problems for Tanzania’s defense. In the 17th minute, Kgatlana’s clever pass found Hildah Magaia, whose effort went narrowly over the crossbar.
The defending champions continued to dominate possession and came close to taking the lead midway through the first half when Karabo Dhlamini unleashed a powerful long-range strike that struck the woodwork.
However, against the run of play, Tanzania broke the deadlock in the 37th minute through Diana Msewa. The forward showed excellent composure after beating her marker before calmly placing the ball beyond Dlamini to give Twiga Stars a crucial advantage.
South Africa pushed forward in search of an immediate response, and Tanzania goalkeeper Najiati Idrisa produced a superb save in first-half stoppage time to deny Kgatlana from close range.
The pressure finally paid off moments later when Bambanani Mbane reacted quickest after another Idrisa save, heading the ball into the net to level the scores before halftime.
After the restart, South Africa continued to press for a second goal, with Refiloe Jane coming close within moments of the restart as Banyana Banyana looked to complete the comeback.
Tanzania, however, remained organised and waited for their opportunity. Their patience was rewarded in the 86th minute when substitute Hasnath Ubamba delivered the decisive moment.
Ubamba showed excellent skill to turn away from her marker before firing a low shot past Dlamini, sending the Tanzanian bench and supporters into celebration.
The late winner secured three important points for Twiga Stars and placed them in a strong position in Group B as they continue their pursuit of a place in the knockout stage.
Tanzania will next face Burkina Faso on Friday, while South Africa will aim to recover when they meet Côte d’Ivoire on the same day.
