Banyana Banyana coach Dr Desiree Ellis has praised her charges after the African champions came from behind to share the spoils with Tanzania in their CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations clash played at the Honneur Stadium in Oujda, Morocco, on Friday night, 12 July 2025.
A win would have seen the WAFCON defending champions secure a place in the next round of competition, but they still remain top of Group C on goal difference following the 1-1 draw last night, with Mali in second place although they are level on four points each.
The Twiga Stars took the 1-0 lead through striker and captain Opa Tukumbuke in the 24th minute, but the South African senior women’s national team rallied back in the second half to walk away with a point through Bambanani Mbane in the 70th minute.
“We said before the match that no game is easy, we saw how Nigeria scored in the last minute, that’s how difficult the games are going to be, but you have to take your chances. We felt if we get the three points, we would go through to the next round already, but it was not to be, there is still some more work to be done,” said Dr Ellis.
“There is no easy team anymore, they hadn’t picked up any points, we knew they needed to win at all costs, and they came with a plan, made us play like a team under pressure when we were not under pressure, playing into their hands at times with the long ball, but still there is all to play for in the group.”
This was the second meeting between the two countries in this competition since 2010. Dr Ellis had made four changes to the starting 11, bringing on Kaylin Swart for Andile Dlamini, while the trio of Lonathemba Mhlongo, Siyabulela Holweni, and Kgaelebane Mohlakoana came on for Tiisetso Makhubela, Amogelang Motau, and Lebohang Ramalepe, respectively.
“We had a good enough team to get a result, they scored early, and we had a chance to score before they could – we didn’t put it away. It is the nature of the game. We didn’t get the result we wanted, but we are still in it.“
Banyana Banyana Head Coach, Dr Desiree Ellis
“I thought the comeback was good, we could have won it as we had a couple of chances, but that’s how the game goes. This team has shown they have the grit, they have the courage and the resilience to fight back and get the result that we deserve.”
Banyana Banyana are yet to taste defeat in the WAFCON after 13 games – 10 wins and three draws. With the draw, Tanzania collected their first-ever points in a WAFCON fixture, leaving head coach Bakari Shime excited.
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“Bravo for my girls, it was a very good game but also a tough one in both halves. Today we tried to change our tactics according to the strength of the opposition and we scored one goal, and we stayed like that for almost 50 minutes. Bad luck for us again because we conceded a goal from a set-piece, but it was a good game for both sides. I am happy with the whole team,” said Shime.
“To play against South Africa is very tough. We planned around this game, and we toiled a lot, so now we have to find a way to recover very quickly, physically and mentally. Then we plan how to play against Ghana – which for us will be a final match, we should win that match.”
Tanzania Head Coach, Bakari Shime
South Africa next face Mali on Monday at the same venue, while Tanzania will tackle Ghana. Both games will kick off at the same time at 21h00 South African time (20h00 local time in Morocco).
South Africa’s Group C Fixtures and Results at the CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025, at the Honneur Stadium in Oujda
Mon, 7 July: Banyana Banyana 2-0 Ghana
Fri, 11 July: Banyana Banyana 1-1 Tanzania
Mon, 14 July: Banyana Banyana vs Mali
Banyana Banyana Squad for the CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025
Goalkeepers
Kaylin Swart
Andile Dlamini
Dineo Magagula
Casey Gordon
Defenders
Lebohang Ramalepe
Fikile Magama
Gabriela Salgado
Tiisetso Makhubela
Bambanani Mbane
Karabo Dhlamini
Lonathemba Mhlongo
Bongeka Gamede
Midfielders
Sibulele Holweni
Linda Motlhalo
Nonhlanhla Mthandi
Refiloe Jane
Amogelang Motau
Regina Mogolola
Noxolo Cesane
Adrielle Mibe
Kgaelebane Mohlakoana
Forwards
Hildah Magaia
Jermaine Seoposenwe
Nthabiseng Majiya
Bonolo Mokoma
Ronnel Donnely
Original Copy: SAFA, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: Bambanani Mbane scored for Banyana Banyana to equalise late and share points with Tanzania, leading Group C log standings after their second match at the 2024 CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations clash at the Honneur Stadium in Oujda, Morocco, on Friday night. Photo: CAF
Photo 2 Caption: The Twiga Stars skipper Opa Tukumbuke saw her team to an early 1-nil lead against Banyana, but failed to maintain their advantage.
Photo 3 Caption: Linda Motlhalo pictured in possession. Bambanani Mbane netted from a set piece in the 70th minute to earn the draw and ease SA anxiety.
