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Tanzania stun South Africa to earn first WAFCON point

football11 July 2025 21:10| © Mzansi Football
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Tanzania earned a first ever point at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations with a 1-1 draw against defending champions South Africa in Oudja on Friday, and might have got more from the match in an excellent display.

Opah Clement gave Tanzania the lead midway through the first half and they were the better side for 70 minutes, before Banyana sprang to life in the closing stages.

Bambanani Mbane equalised for a relieved South Africa, who will know they will have to go through a few higher gears if they are to retain the title they won on Moroccan soil three years ago.

 

Tanzania were not helped by a red card for Elizabeth Chenge in the closing stages, one she can have few arguments about, but overall put in an excellent performance.

They will provide a tough opponent for Ghana in their final Group C clash on Monday, while South Africa face Mali. The latter two have four points in the pool, while Tanzania and Ghana have one each.

Kgalebane Mohlakoana had a good early chance to break the deadlock for Banyana but scooped her volley at the back post over the crossbar.

At the other end, Tanzania had a header cleared off the line by Lonathemba Mhlongo after some sloppy defending had allowed them to create the scoring chance.

Tanzania hit the front when their talismanic striker, Opah Clement, won a header 12 yards from goal and it looped into the far corner, much to the dismay of goalkeeper Kaylin Swart.

It was the first time Tanzania had led in a Wafcon match, and the first time under coach Desiree Ellis that South Africa had conceded first at the finals.

Jermaine Seoposenwe launched a 25-yard shot that was too close to goalkeeper Najat Idrisa, while the latter had to make two smart saves from a corner late in the first half as Tanzania battled to clear their lines.

Tanzania came close to a second when the ball was launched long to Chenge and while she chipped the ball over Swart, Karabo Dhlamini was able to clear off the line.

Hildah Magaia had a good headed chance, but she did not get anywhere near the required connection and it drifted harmlessly wide.

Fikile Magama’s drive from 25 yards was superbly saved by Idrisa, but from the resultant corner, Banyana were level.

It was an excellent delivery that caused mayhem in the Tanzania six-yard box, and Mbane provided a neat volleyed finish to score her fifth international goal.

Tanzania were reduced to 10 players when Chenge was sent off for a stamp on the Achilles heel of Linda Motlhalo when she was nowhere near the ball.

She may suggest it was accidental, but it was a nasty incident and deserving of a sending off.

Banyana do extend their unbeaten run in Wafcon matches to 13 (not including penalty shoot-outs), but their seven-game winning streak has ended.

It also means it has still been nine years since they last lost a Wafcon group stage fixture in 2016 (0-1 v Cameroon).

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