Coach Desiree Ellis' ladies dominated possession and territory, but several sharp saves from goalkeeper Najat Adrisa kept the Tanzanians in the contest and they sealed the deal in the 88th minute to earn their first-ever victory over South Africa.
Banyana had a golden opportunity to open the scoring in the 11th minute when Tanzania failed to clear a dangerous cross, but Noxolo Cesane fluffed a chance with her left foot.
Well against the run of play, Tanzania took the lead in the 37th minute. A quick transistion up field saw a powerful run by Diana Msewa. The midfielder was in space and ran all the way into the penalty box, where she right-footed the ball past Banyana goalkeeper Andile Dlamini at the near post.
The match stopped for a moment following a huge head clash between South Africa's Lebogang Ramalep and Tanzania's Clement Tukumbuke, which saw both players leave the field aided by medical staff.
In the dying embers of the opening half, the 2022 WAFCON champions finally found the back of the net. Centre back Bambanani Mbane pounced on the ball after the Tanzania defence failed to deal with a corner, heading the ball home from close range.
In the second stanza, replacement Hasnath Ubamba drew a superlative save from Dlamini. From a free kick on the edge of the box, Ubamba's curling effort went over the wall and was heading into the goal but a superb one-handed reflex save from an unsighted Dlamini thwarted the effort.
South Africa should have doubled their lead in the 70th minute. Karabo Dhlamini delivered another dangerous cross and it fell at the feet of replacement forward Nthabiseng Najiya just six yards out, but her miscued shot dribbled harmlessly past the upright.
Tanzania broke the deadlock via Ubamba at the death. Left to roam the left flank, she beat one defender, brought the ball inside and struck the ball powerfully with her right foot on a tight angle to once again beat Dlamini at the near post.
In the last play of the match, a curling cross came into a busy Tanzanian box and Rafiloe Jane fired goalward only to be denind by the safe hands of Idrisa, summing up the evening for a disappointed Banyana.
Banyana Banyana are aiming to begin their CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) 2026 campaign on a positive note when they face Tanzania in their Group B opener on Monday at the Moulay Rachid Stadium in Casablanca.
Banyana Banyana head coach Desiree Ellis is expecting a tight game against Tanzania in their opening game of the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations.
Banyana Banyana forward Hildah Magaia has called on her teammates to remain fully focused on the task at hand as South Africa prepares to defend its Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) crown in Morocco.
Banyana Banyana head coach Desiree Ellis has unveiled her final 26-player squad for the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), with South Africa aiming to reclaim the continental crown in Morocco.
