Tanzania stun Banyana Banyana with 87th‑minute winner in Women’s AFCON opener
Tanzania stunned Banyana Banyana 2-1 in Casablanca as Hasnath Ubamba’s 87th-minute strike sealed a shock Women’s Africa Cup of Nations victory and left South Africa under early Group B pressure.
Tanzania produced one of the tournament’s biggest upsets as Hasnath Ubamba’s low finish in the 87th minute beat Andile Dlamini and handed the Taifa Stars a 2-1 victory over Banyana Banyana at Moulay Rachid Stadium in Casablanca.
South Africa dominated possession for long spells and created clear opportunities, but a deflected first-half goal and a late clinical strike from Ubamba gave Tanzania three points in the opening Group B match.
The result places Desiree Ellis’s side on the back foot in the group stage and elevates Tanzania’s hopes as the competition advances.
Ubamba’s late strike decides a tense encounter
Hasnath Ubamba rifled a low shot from inside the box past Andile Dlamini in the 87th minute to break the deadlock and spark wild celebrations in the Tanzanian contingent.
The goal followed sustained pressure and a decisive individual run that allowed Tanzania to exploit space on the left flank, with Ubamba cutting inside and finishing clinically at a crucial moment.
That late intervention came after a match in which both teams had periods of control, but Tanzania preserved composure when it mattered most to claim a famous victory.
How the game unfolded at Moulay Rachid Stadium
Banyana Banyana controlled large stretches of the first half, moving the ball through midfield and creating several openings while probing for a breakthrough.
Despite early dominance, South Africa failed to convert opportunities from Thembi Kgatlana, Noxolo Cesane and Hildah Magaia, allowing Tanzania to remain within touching distance.
Tanzania took an unexpected lead in the 38th minute when Diana Msewa drove forward from midfield and her shot deflected off Bongeka Gamede, wrong-footing goalkeeper Andile Dlamini and sailing into the net.
Set pieces and reactions changed the match momentum
South Africa responded immediately and found parity in first-half stoppage time after mounting pressure on the Tanzanian goal.
A low save from Tanzania goalkeeper Naijat Idrissa kept the ball in play following a Thembi Kgatlana effort, and Bambanani Mbane reacted fastest to head the loose ball into the net from the resulting corner.
That set-piece finish erased the earlier deficit and briefly swung momentum back to Desiree Ellis’s side as the teams went into the break level.
Missed chances and decisive moments in the second half
The second half offered fewer clear openings, but the match remained tense with both teams seeking a winner and cautious not to concede a costly mistake.
Nthabiseng Majiya scuffed a prime chance in the 71st minute when she failed to connect from close range, a miss that proved significant as Tanzania later capitalised on their opportunity.
As the game progressed, Tanzania grew more confident on the counter and ultimately found the decisive moment through Ubamba’s finish, while South Africa were left to rue earlier misses.
Tactical edge and Tanzania’s compact approach
Tanzania defended resolutely throughout and showed patience in their transitions, often absorbing pressure before launching quick forward movements through midfield runners like Diana Msewa.
Their compact defensive shape limited South Africa’s combinations in the final third and forced Banyana into lower-percentage attempts rather than incisive through-balls.
When space opened on the flank late in the match, Tanzania’s attackers exploited it with directness, highlighting a game plan that prioritised structure and opportunism over prolonged possession.
Implications for South Africa and Group B standings
The defeat leaves Banyana Banyana under immediate pressure in Group B, where point accumulation across the next fixtures will be vital for quarterfinal ambitions.
Desiree Ellis’s squad must regroup quickly and address finishing and set-piece vulnerability before facing their next opponents if they are to avoid an early exit risk.
For Tanzania, the win boosts confidence and enhances their prospects in the group, giving the Taifa Stars a platform to push for a surprise run in the competition.
Individual performances that shaped the outcome
Hasnath Ubamba emerged as the match-winner with a composed finish and timely movement, earning praise for her decisive contribution late on.
Diana Msewa’s midfield surges were crucial in creating Tanzania’s first goal, while goalkeeper Naijat Idrissa produced key saves earlier in the match to keep her side in contention.
On the South African side, Bambanani Mbane’s stoppage-time header highlighted intent and urgency, but the attack lacked consistent clinical finishing despite several promising efforts.
Tanzania’s victory over Banyana Banyana will be remembered as an upset that altered the early narrative of Group B at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, and both teams must now turn attention to the fixtures ahead as the tournament moves into its next phase.
