Banyana Banyana came from behind to salvage a 1-1 draw with 10 woman Tanzania in their second Group C match at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Oujda on Friday evening.
Tanzania drew blood first through Captain Opa Clement in the first half while Bambanani Mbane got the equaliser for the defending champions.
Banyana coach Desiree Ellis made four changes to the side that won 2-0 against Ghana. Kaylin Swart started ahead of Andile Dlamini, Lonathemba Mhlongo for Tiisetso Makhubela, Sibulele Holweni for Amogelang and Kgalebane Mohlakoana for Lebo Ramalepe.
South Africa could have scored as early as the fourth minute with Karabo Dhlamini finding Mohlakoana in the box but the latter missed the target. Holweni also had a chance two minutes from range but her effort went wide.
Tanzania responded immediately with attempts from Stumai Athuman and Clement but both were denied by Swart. The Twiga Stars persisted and their effort were rewarded in the 24th minute after they won a set-piece and it was Clement who headed home to break the deadlock.
Banyana could have levelled after the 36th minute through Dhlamini and Seoposenwe attempts but both their respective shots from range were dealt with by the Tanzanian goalkeeper.
Ellis made two changes at the start of the second half brining on Ramalepe for Mohlakoana and Hilda Magaia for Noxolo Cesane. The subs almost had an immediate impact as Banyana won a free-kick in a good scoring position three minutes in the half.
Dhlamini whipped the ball to Magaia who ultimately missed the target. Seoposenwe had an opportunity to equalise in the 55th minute but her shot was punched out. It was Tanzania’s opportunity three minutes later through the efforts of Winfred Gerald seeing Swart out of position however Dhlamini was on time to make a goal line clearance.
Fikile Magama also came close to scoring for Banyana in the 68th minutes but was denied by Idrisa Abass who concede a corner. Dhlamini played the corner shot with Ramalepe who sent it to Bambanani Mbane and the Mamelodi Sundowns defender levelled.
The result plus the one between Mali and Ghana in an earlier kick-off in the group sees Banyana at the top with four points same as Mali who they face on match day three however with a better goal difference.
Tanzania are third with a point and Ghana at bottom also with a point.
