Tanzania showed good fighting spirit to defeat South Africa 2-1 in their Group B opening match at the on-going TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) 2026.

The Twiga Stars briefly went top of Group B after the famous win against the former African Women champions.

Tanzania’s skipper Opa Tukumbuke came close to finding the net early in the game, but the South African goalkeeper was up to the task at the Moulay Rachid Stadium in Casablanca.

Hildah Magaia also had her effort miss by inches at the Twiga Stars goal mouth.

After 37 minutes Diana Msewa put Tanzania ahead with a goal finish after beating defender Bongeka Gamede. But the Banyana Banyana did not give up and leveled matters at the stroke of half time through Bambanani Mbane.

The second half saw the two sides miss some glaring scoring opportunities. With the cloack ticking away substitute Hasnath Ubamba beat South Africa’s goalkeeper to make it 2-1 after 86 minutes.

Twiga Stars held on to collect maximum points and their first win against South Africa in their last three meetings.

With the tie looking to go into the break with Tanzania in the lead Bambanani Mbane showed exceptional anticipation when reacting to a save by Idrisa to head home the equaliser and send the sides into the break level.

Bakari Nyundo Shime, the Twiga Stars head coach praised her players for the team work. “It is good to start with a win in such a tournament and now we focus on our next two Group games against Ivorya Coast and Burkina Faso,” added Shime.

Another CECAFA team Kenya kick started the campaign with a 4-0 defeat to hosts Morocco in a Group A match played on Sunday.

Uganda’s Vipers SC have edged Gor Mahia 1-0 in a Group A match at the on-going CECAFA Kagame Cup.

The win at the Kigali Pele Stadium on Monday saw Vipers SC move closer to qualification for the semi final stage after they picked a second straight victory.

After dominating play against the Kenya Premier League reigning champions, Vipers SC delivered a late killer punch with Gusto Mulongo heading in in added time to ensure they collected maximum points.

Ashraf Mandela delivered a neat pass that the Gor Mahia SC defenders failed to clear out of danger, only for substitute Mulongo to nod the ball past Gor Mahia’s goalkeeper Humphrey Katasi Simiyu.

Denis Lavagne, the Vipers SC coach said he was hapy with the win against a strong Gor Mahia FC side. “Although we scored late it puts us in a good position as we now focus on the last group match against APR FC,” added Lavagne.

In the second Group A match APR FC defeated Garde Republicaine (Djibouti) 3-1.

Skipper Quattara Djibril netted a brace, while Mamadou Traore also got his name on the score sheet for APR FC all in the first half. The Djibouti Premier League side pulled a goal back after 87 minutes with Maarouf Abass scoring.

Vipers SC remain top of Group A with 6 points, while Gor Mahia FC are second with 3 points, and ahead of APR FC with a better goal difference.

On Tuesday Mogadishu City Club (Somalia) will face Singida Black Stars FC (Tanzania), while Group B table leaders Jamus SC (South Sudan) take on Simba SC (Tanzania) at the Kigali Pele Stadium.

Sudan’s Al Hilal SC and Rayon Sport have recorded wins in their first outings in the on-going CECAFA Kagame Cup 2026.

Al Hilal SC defeated Tusker FC (Kenya) 2-0 in the opening Group C match, while Rwanda’s Rayon Sport also recorded a win with the same 2-0 score against KMZ FC from Zanzibar in the second match.

In the first match defender Kamaradini Mamudu gave Al Hilal SC the lead after 29 minutes at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali.

But the Kenyan team continued to push forward with Aboud Omar’s attempt missing the target after 36 minutes.

After recess the two teams continued to create several scoring opportunities. Tusker FC Captain Omar had three free-kicks parried away by the Al Hilal goalkeeper Soufiane Farid Quedraogo.

With the cloak ticking away with five minutes of added time indicated by the fourth official, substitute Salim Adams made it 2-0 for Al Hilal SC. He made no mistake beating Tusker’s goalkeeper Francis Odour Onyango from close range.

Guy Bukasa Misakabu, the Al Hilal SC coach said he was happy with the win in their opening match. “We are just coming back from a short holiday and the players are not yet very fit. But it is good to win the opening match in such a tournament,” added Misakabu.

In the second match, Zanzibar Premier League reigning champions KVZ FC frustrated Rayon Sport FC for most of the first half, before scoring in the second half.

After 67 minutes the home side were awarded a penalty after a KVZ FC defender fouled in the box. Substitute Junior Herman Kameni made no mistake sending the KVZ FC goalkeeper Hamad Ubwa Hamad the wrong side to make it 1-0.

Rayon Sport FC continued to push forward before they netted the second goal through Daniel Muhoza after 80 minutes.

Action continues on Monday with two Group A matches on card. Kenya’s Gor Mahia FC will face Vipers SC (Uganda) in the first match, while Garde Republicaine FC (Djibouti) battle home side APR FC in the second match at the Kigali Pele Stadium.

South Sudan Premier League side Jamus SC have shocked Cup holders Singida Black Stars FC in their opening Group B match in the on-going CECAFA Kagame Cup 2026.

The debut makers in the regional tournament scored in each half to silence the Tanzania Premier League side in a match played at the Kigali Pele Stadium on Saturday.

Laurent Ramazani put Jamus SC ahead after 10 minutes with a well taken strike.

Ramazani made no mistake finishing past Singida goalkeeper Metacha Mnata. Exauce Sagesse Nzaou and Mathew Tegisis tried some shots at goal for the Cup holders, but failed to find goals.

After recess, the Singida Black Stars FC coach Papy Okitankoyi Kimoto made several changes, but to no avail.

Linda Mtange and Jonathan Sowah had attempts for Singida Black Stars FC, but missed the target.

Substitute Mario Taban Cherelino got his name on the score sheet with a second goal for Jamus SC in the 4^th minute of added time. He nodded in a well taken Sabastin Teclar cross.

Saber Ben Jabria, Jamus SC’s new coach said he was happy that his team started with a win in the tournament. “I am happy with the players and we hope to work harder in the next two group matches,” added the coach.

Six time winners Simba SC (Tanzania) and Mogadishu City Club FC from Somalia settled for a goalless draw in the second Group B match played at the same Stadium. The South Sudan side now lead Group B with 3 points, while Simba SC and Mogadishu City Club FC are tied with a point each, while Singida Black Stars are bottom.

The regional competition that kicked off on Friday continues on Sunday with two Group C matches to be played at the Amahoro Stadium.