South Africa rescue point against Tanzania at Wafcon
Bambanani Mbane spared South Africa's blushes
- Published
Veteran defender Bambanani Mbane rescued South Africa as the defending Women's Africa Cup of Nations champions had to settle for a 1-1 draw against Tanzania in Group C.
After showing intent and creating more chances, it was hardly surprising when returning Twiga Stars captain Opah Clement opened the scoring in the 24th minute in Oujda.
The forward's header from a free-kick beat Kaylin Swart, although the South Africa goalkeeper perhaps should have done better with her positioning.
A double substitution at half-time injected more energy into Banyana Banyana and the holders levelled in the 70th minute when Mbane found the net with a shot following a corner.
Tanzania had to close out the game with 10 players as Winfrida Gerald was shown a straight red card with six minutes remaining following a video assistant referee check for a poor clip from behind on the ankles of Linda Motlhalo.
South Africa moved back to the top of Group C, level on four points with Mali but ahead of the West Africans on goal difference. Those two sides meet in the final round of games on Monday (19:00 GMT) with a place in the quarter-finals virtually assured.
A first point for Tanzania keeps alive their hopes of reaching the knockout stages, but the East Africans must beat Ghana, who drew 1-1 with Mali earlier on Friday, to have a chance of progressing.
Lowly Tanzania test Banyana
South Africa had lifted their first continental title in Morocco three years ago, yet this result suggest the competitiveness of the women's game in Africa is steadily increasing.
Some 83 places separate the sides in the world rankings, but Banyana Banyana appeared to be vulnerable to Tanzania free-kicks as they nearly conceded the opener as Stumai Athumani saw her goalward header cleared off the line by Karabo Dhlamini.
Clement did put the Twiga Stars in front from a set-piece and an indication that things were not going according to plan for the Wafcon holders came in the 36th minute when Jermaine Seoposenwe sent an uncharacteristically ambitious long-range shot off target.
South Africa were more attacking in the second half after coach Desiree Ellis made her changes, but they were thankful for Dhlamini's quick thinking again when she kicked away a scooped effort from Gerald just before the hour mark.
Tanzania goalkeeper Najiati Idrisa then produced one of the best moments in the game, making a save at full stretch from Fikile Magama's effort from range, but moments later Mbane netted the equaliser.
Banyana Banyana were unable to make their numerical advantage pay in the closing stages and if Ellis' side are to successfully defend their title then their path may prove harder than it was in 2022.