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.

Kenya Starlets have made a false start in the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) 2026.

The hosts Morocco defeated Kenya 4-0 in their first Group A match played on Sunday night at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat.

Sakina Ouzraoui gave Morocco the lead after 19 minutes, before Meriem Atiq added a second goal 10 minutes later.

Led by skipper skipper Mwanalima Adam Jereko, the Kenyan team tried to get back in the game, but Ibtissam Jraidi added a third goal after 32 minutes.

After recess Kenyan coach Beldine Odemba made some changes for the Starlets, but to no avail as they failed to match the intensity of the home side.

Three minutes into the second half Jraidi scored her second goal of the day. The Atlas Lionesses went on to win 4-0 and lead the group after Algeria had stopped Senegal 2-0 in an earlier Group A match.

Odemba said her team failed to control the match well. “We didn’t have the desired control in the transition phases,” said the Kenyan coach. She however, maintained that they sill have chance to make amends when they face Senegal and Algeria in the other group matches.

Another team from the CECAFA Zone Tanzania will also take to the field on Monday night in a Group B match against South Africa at the Moulay Rchaid Stadium in Casablanca.

Tanzania played two International friendly matches last week settling for a goalless draw against Ghana and losing 2-1 to African giants Nigeria.

The WAFCON 2026 with a record total cash prize of US$5.8 million will also serve as the qualification pathway for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil, with the four semi-finalists earning automatic qualification.

The head coach of Tanzania’s women national team, Bakari Nyundo Shime has said he is happy with the way his team played out in the two International friendly matches.

Twiga Stars settled for a goalless draw against Ghana and lost 2-1 to Nigeria in the last friendly tie on Friday played in Casablanca as they prepare ahead of the CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) 2026 in Morocco.

The tournament which featuring 16 teams will run from July 26 to August 16th.

“I am happy that we have managed to try out several aspects in the two friendly matches and the team is looking better with good high profile match practice,” said the experienced Shime.

The coach made it clear that they go into the tournament with the target of being more clinical infront of goal and defending well as at team.

“We need to handle every match like a final because we are determined to reach the later stages of the WAFCON,” added Shime.

Tanzania who are making their third appearance in the WAFCON will start their Group B campaign with a match against South Africa on Monday, before they take on Burkina Faso on July 31^st.

Shime’s team will face Ivory Coast in their last group match on August 4^th.

The WAFCON 2026 with a record total cash prize of US$5.8 million will also serve as the qualification pathway for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil, with the four semi-finalists earning automatic qualification.

Tanzania’s women national team will face giants nine time champions Nigeria in an international friendly match in Casablanca, Morocco on Sunday.

The Twiga Stars will use the match to prepare ahead of the CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) 2026 that kicks-off on July 26^th in Morocco.

Bakari Nyundo Shime, the head coach has made it clear that his team is very prepared for the tournament.

“We are going to face Nigeria and also play a second friendly match with another team before the tournament starts. These friendly matches will help us shape up well ahead of the tournament,” added Shime.

The coach said the team is better prepared than ever, citing improved planning and stronger player management.

Twiga Stars will open their WAFCON 2026 campaign against South Africa on July 27 in Casablanca before facing Burkina Faso and Côte d’Ivoire in the remaining Group B matches.

The tournament featuring 16 teams including Kenya will run from July 26 to August 16^th. It will also serve as the qualification pathway for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil, with the four semi-finalists earning automatic qualification.