Superb goals give Tanzania shock WAFCON win over Banyana Banyana

Diana Msewa and Hasnath Umbamba scored superb solo goals for Tanzania in a shock 2-1 victory over South Africa on Monday in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco. Msewa put Tanzania ahead after 38 minutes of the opening Group B match in Casablanca and Bambanani Mbane levelled during first half added time. With a scrappy match seemingly heading for a draw, Ubamba struck on 87 minutes for Tanzania, who lie 65 places below South Africa in the world rankings The result was the first upset of the 16-nation event after predictable victories for Morocco and Algeria in Group A on Sunday.

Msewa was voted the player of the match after scoring the best of the nine goals so far in the tournament. Gaining possession in the centre circle, she took the ball to the South Africa area before beating South Africa goalkeeper Andile Dlamini at her near post. Mbane equalised in the second minute of added time with a close-range header after Tanzania goalkeeper Najiat Idrisa parried a corner.

South Africa never resembled a team ranked second in Africa behind WAFCON defending champions Nigeria. They often defended carelessly and passes regularly went astray. Tanzania were direct and physically superior.

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It came as no surprise when they snatched victory to lead a group that includes Burkina Faso and the Ivory Coast. Ubamba received a throw, outpaced a defender, then beat Dlamini at her near post from a tight angle to secure maximum points for the Twiga Stars.

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