FOOTBALL NEWS - South Africa put up a determined performance against Tanzania at the Moulay Rachid Stadium in Casablanca on Monday evening but were unable to avoid a 2-1 defeat in their opening match of the 2026 CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
The result leaves Banyana Banyana with work to do in Group B, although qualification for the knockout stages remains within reach.
The top two teams in each group will advance to the quarter-finals.
South Africa eye crucial upcoming fixtures
Banyana Banyana will now turn their attention to two key Group B encounters.
They will face Ivory Coast on 31 July, before taking on Burkina Faso on 4 August in what could prove decisive matches in the race for a place in the last eight.
South Africa is competing in Group B alongside Tanzania, Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso.
Minister backs Banyana after defeat
Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie encouraged the team to remain positive following the opening loss.
"Our comeback will be much stronger. Let's get past this loss and plan for our next victory. You dominated the game today, but luck was not on our side," McKenzie said in a post on social media platform X.
He added that the nation continued to stand firmly behind the team.
Linda Motlhalo reaches 100-cap milestone
Despite the defeat, the match marked a significant personal achievement for midfielder Linda Motlhalo, who earned her 100th appearance for the senior women's national team.
The milestone highlights Motlhalo's long-standing contribution to South African women's football.
WAFCON also serves as World Cup qualifier
The 2026 CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations, taking place in Morocco from 26 July to 16 August, carries added significance as it doubles as a qualification tournament for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup in Brazil.
The four teams that reach the semi-finals will qualify automatically for the global showpiece.
Source: SAnews.gov.za
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