Desiree Ellis reflects on the shock defeat to Tanzania at the 2026 WAFCON

The pressure is on the national women’s football team as the turn their attention to their second Group B match of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. On Monday, Banyana Banyana’s campaign got off to the worst possible start after suffering a shock 2-1 defeat at the hands of the Twigga Stars from Tanzania in Casablanca. South Africa created enough opportunities to take something from the game but were left to rue their wastefulness in front of goal, while Tanzania made the most of their chances to claim all three points. Coach Desiree Ellis admitted her team's finishing let them down and felt the goals they conceded were avoidable.