Tanzania stunned South Africa 2-1 before Côte d’Ivoire marked their return to WAFCON with a 4-1 victory over Burkina Faso, completely changing the early shape of Group B.
Hasnath Ubamba scored Tanzania’s late winner after Bambanani Mbane had cancelled out Diana Msewa’s opening goal. Côte d’Ivoire then scored three times during the opening 23 minutes against Burkina Faso, with Inès Konan completing a first-half brace.
Côte d’Ivoire lead the group on goal difference, with Tanzania also holding three points. South Africa and Burkina Faso must now face the two early leaders knowing another defeat could leave their quarter-final hopes in serious danger.
Tanzania’s Warning Arrived Before Their First Goal
South Africa finished with 64 per cent possession and nine shots on target, but Tanzania’s victory was not created by their only two attacks. The East Africans threatened first when captain Opa Tukumbuke almost capitalised on a loose ball inside the penalty area. South Africa goalkeeper Andile Dlamini reacted quickly to prevent an early goal.
Dlamini was required again moments later when Lebohang Ramalepe’s looping back-header drifted dangerously towards her own net.
Those chances warned South Africa that Tanzania were not prepared to spend the entire match defending. Banyana Banyana eventually began creating opportunities of their own, with Hildah Magaia shooting narrowly over before Karabo Dhlamini struck the woodwork from distance.
South Africa appeared to be taking control, but Tanzania scored first. Msewa beat Bongeka Gamede in the 37th minute before finishing at Dlamini’s near post, punishing South Africa during a period in which they had looked the more likely side to break through.
Idrisa Kept Tanzania Inside the Contest
South Africa responded before half-time, but only after Tanzania goalkeeper Najiati Idrisa produced an important save from Thembi Kgatlana at close range.
Idrisa could not prevent the equaliser moments later. She saved the initial attempt, but Mbane anticipated the rebound and headed the ball into the net during stoppage time.
Conceding immediately before the interval could have undone Tanzania’s work. South Africa nearly completed the turnaround just after the restart when Refiloe Jane came close to putting her team ahead. The expected second goal never arrived.
Ubamba delivered it later in the match. The substitute turned her marker before driving a low finish beyond Dlamini to give Tanzania their first WAFCON victory over South Africa at the third attempt.
South Africa Controlled the Ball, Not the Result
The defeat presents South Africa with a more serious problem than poor finishing alone. Tanzania created early chances, exposed defensive uncertainty and remained dangerous despite spending less time in possession. Msewa’s goal came against the run of play, but it did not arrive without warning.
South Africa still generated enough opportunities to win. The woodwork, Idrisa’s saves and their own failure to convert prevented that pressure from changing the match.
The late winner then exposed the risk created by remaining level. A team can dominate several statistical categories and still leave the opponent one attack away from taking everything. Tanzania understood that possibility better and refused to settle for the point.
Côte d’Ivoire Needed Only 23 Minutes
Côte d’Ivoire’s victory followed a completely different pattern. The Lady Elephants were appearing at WAFCON for the first time in 12 years but needed only seven minutes to score. Rebecca Elloh converted from the penalty spot, settling any early nerves surrounding their return.
Konan doubled the advantage in the 14th minute following work from Rosemonde Kouassi. She scored again nine minutes later after being supplied by N’sira Ouedraogo. The third goal effectively settled the West African derby before half-time.
Côte d’Ivoire produced seven shots on target and converted four, combining pace and direct attacking play with the efficiency South Africa had lacked earlier in the evening.
Burkina Faso entered their second WAFCON tournament hoping to move beyond the underdog label. Three goals inside the opening 23 minutes left them with too much recovery work.
Burkina Faso’s Response Lasted Ten Minutes
Burkina Faso did improve after the interval. Adama Congo reduced the deficit following an assist from Balkissa Sawadogo, briefly giving the Lady Stallions hope of turning the second half into a contest. Côte d’Ivoire responded through N’sira Ouedraogo, who added a goal to her earlier assist and restored the three-goal advantage.
That response was important. Côte d’Ivoire did not allow a comfortable opening half to become a nervous finish after conceding.
Konan provided the goals that established control, Elloh brought the composure to convert the early penalty and Ouedraogo contributed to two decisive attacks. Their return to WAFCON was built through several players rather than one isolated performance.
Two Victories With Different Meanings
Tanzania and Côte d’Ivoire reached three points through contrasting performances. Tanzania needed resilience. They survived South Africa’s pressure, relied on important saves and remained willing to attack late enough to find the winner.
Côte d’Ivoire used authority. They scored early, built a three-goal advantage and answered quickly when Burkina Faso attempted to recover. Those differences will shape the second round.
Tanzania face Burkina Faso knowing another victory could place them close to the quarter-finals. Côte d’Ivoire meet South Africa with the chance to put one of the group’s leading names under even greater pressure.
South Africa no longer have time to settle into the tournament. They must prepare for an opponent that scored four times in its first match. Burkina Faso must find a way past the team responsible for Group B’s first major upset.
Before the tournament, South Africa appeared to be the team the rest of the group needed to catch. After one round, they are already chasing Tanzania and Côte d’Ivoire.
Source: CAF
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