Tanzania pulled off a major upset by defeating defending champions South Africa 2-1 in their opening Group B match at WAFCON 2026 in Morocco. The Twiga Stars produced a disciplined performance and claimed all three points to move temporarily to the top of the group. The victory marks an impressive start to Tanzania’s campaign against one of the tournament favorites.
Tanzania broke the deadlock in the 37th minute when Diana Msewa finished calmly after racing through on goal. South Africa responded before halftime as Bambanani Mbane capitalized on a poorly cleared corner to restore parity. Both teams continued to battle after the break, but Tanzania regained the advantage through Mbamba, who beat the goalkeeper with a powerful strike after an excellent solo run.
Tanzania managed the closing stages confidently and secured a memorable 2-1 victory to shake up the Group B standings at WAFCON 2026. The result gives the Twiga Stars an early boost in the race for the knockout stage, while South Africa will look to bounce back in their next group match.
