The TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) Morocco 2026 continues on Monday as defending champions South Africa take on Tanzania in their opening Group B fixture at the Moulay Rachid Stadium in Casablanca.
Kick-off is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. local time (5:00 p.m. GMT), with Banyana Banyana looking to make the perfect start to the title they won in 2022.
While South Africa arrive as one of the tournament favourites, Tanzania will be eager to build on the confidence gained from holding the defending champions to a draw at the last edition.
A familiar rivalry returns
This will be the third WAFCON meeting between South Africa and Tanzania and the second successive tournament in which both nations have been drawn together.
Their growing rivalry has become one of the more intriguing fixtures in women’s football on the continent.
South Africa claimed a 2-1 victory when the teams first met during the 2010 tournament, before Tanzania earned a memorable 1-1 draw at WAFCON 2024 courtesy of Opah Clement’s opener, with Bambanani Mbane rescuing a point for the eventual semi-finalists.
That result remains Tanzania’s only point ever at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, giving the Twiga Stars belief that they can once again frustrate the reigning champions.
Ellis wary of improving Tanzania
Despite South Africa’s superior pedigree, head coach Desiree Ellis has warned against underestimating Tanzania.
The four-time CAF Women’s Coach of the Year believes every point will be crucial in what promises to be another highly competitive tournament.
“We have played Tanzania a few times now. We cannot take any team lightly. It shows that our football is evolving.”
Ellis added that a positive result in the opening fixture would allow South Africa to control their own destiny in Group B.
The veteran coach also stressed the importance of making a strong start.
“The first game sets the tone for the rest of the tournament.”
Tanzania dreaming of another upset
Tanzania coach Bakari Shime believes his side has grown considerably since their return to the continental stage.
Having guided the Twiga Stars to their historic first WAFCON point against South Africa last year, he insists his players are now targeting all three points.
“Physically and technically, we are ready for the game.”
Star forward Opah Clement, who scored against South Africa in their previous meeting, also hopes to continue her scoring form after moving to Spanish club SD Eibar.
The 25-year-old believes Tanzania’s increased exposure through regional competitions has prepared the squad for another major test.
READMORE: Côte d’Ivoire vs Burkina Faso: Match facts, key stats and records ahead of WAFCON 2026 opener
Match facts
- South Africa and Tanzania will meet at WAFCON for the third time.
- It is the second consecutive tournament in which the two nations have been drawn together.
- Tanzania have faced South Africa at every one of their previous WAFCON appearances.
- South Africa won the first meeting 2-1 in 2010, while the second encounter ended 1-1 in 2024.
- Tanzania’s draw at the last tournament remains their only point in WAFCON history.
- Both previous meetings have seen both teams score, with neither side keeping a clean sheet.
- Tanzania scored first against South Africa at the last edition – the only time they have opened the scoring at a WAFCON finals.
- Defender Elizabeth Chenge became the first player sent off at WAFCON 2024 after receiving a red card against South Africa.
- Head-to-head record: South Africa – Played 2, Won 1, Drawn 1, Lost 0, Goals For 3, Goals Against 2.
- Head-to-head record: Tanzania – Played 2, Won 0, Drawn 1, Lost 1, Goals For 2, Goals Against 3.
South Africa – Key statistics
- WAFCON appearances: 13 (1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2022, 2024).
- Best finish: Champions (2022).
- FIFA Women’s World Cup appearances: 2 (2019, 2023).
- One of only three countries to have won WAFCON, alongside Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea.
- Have qualified for every edition since the tournament began in 1998.
- Alongside Nigeria, they are the only nation to feature in all 14 editions.
- Have reached the knockout stage in 11 of 13 previous appearances.
- Have progressed beyond the group stage in each of their last nine tournaments.
- Have been eliminated in the group stage only twice (1998 and 2004).
- Opening match record: Eight wins, one draw and four defeats.
- Have won the opening match in each of the last three editions.
- Unbeaten in opening matches since a 1-0 defeat to Cameroon in 2014.
- Are unbeaten in their last 10 WAFCON group-stage matches, winning eight and drawing two.
- Have scored in each of those last 10 group games.
- Their only group-stage defeat since 2016 came against Cameroon.
- Coach Desiree Ellis is leading South Africa at a record fifth WAFCON tournament.
- Under Ellis, South Africa have won the title (2022), finished runners-up (2018) and placed fourth twice.
- Ellis has never lost an opening WAFCON match as coach, recording three wins and one draw.
- South Africa qualified after defeating DR Congo 2-1 on aggregate, with Thembi Kgatlana scoring the decisive late winner.
Tanzania – Key statistics
- WAFCON appearances: 2 (2010, 2024).
- Best finish: Group stage.
- Making their third appearance and their first consecutive qualification for the finals.
- Lost all three matches on debut in 2010.
- Collected their first-ever WAFCON point with a 1-1 draw against South Africa in 2024.
- Opening match record: Two defeats.
- Are still searching for their first victory at the finals.
- Overall WAFCON record: One draw and five defeats.
- Have conceded in all six matches played at the tournament.
- Have scored five goals, all coming in the first half.
- Yet to score a second-half goal at WAFCON.
- Have conceded 14 goals across six matches, split evenly between both halves.
- All six of Tanzania’s WAFCON matches have produced goals.
- Qualified after defeating Equatorial Guinea 4-2 on aggregate in the first round.
- Booked their place in Morocco by beating Ethiopia 3-0 on aggregate in the final qualifying round.
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South Africa enter the tournament with the pressure of defending their continental crown, while Tanzania arrive hoping to build on the confidence gained from their historic draw in the last meeting between the sides.
