Tanzania face uphill task against South Africa

Nkosi sikelel’iAfrika. Mungu Ibariki Afrika. God bless Africa.

Both the South African and Tanzanian national anthems begin with these strong and intentional words. Words that carry a deep meaning for their citizens who display resolute emotions when singing the lyrics. It is not just the opening words but the rhythm too.

Listening to both national anthems feels like a repetition. It is not just this semblance that brings the two nations. They share a lot historically including but not limited to the philosophies taught by two world renowned icons – Nelson Mandela and Julius Nyerere.

That history is carried on the shoulders of the Banyana Banyana and Twiga Stars as they prepare to face-off at the ongoing TotalEnergies WAFCON 2026 on Monday at the Moulay Rachid Stadium in Casablanca, Morocco.

The WAFCON 2026 is the second consecutive edition that the 2022 continental champions South Africa and Tanzania are in the same group and the third time that they will face each other at the WAFCON. Last July, forward Opa Clement opened the scoring for Tanzania before defender Bambanani Mbane equalized to secure an important draw.

“We have played Tanzania a few times now. We cannot take any team lightly. It shows that our football is evolving. I don’t think any game will be easy. Our games have always been tight [against Tanzania]. But it remains, a game that we must win. The dynamics have changed. There is no margin for era. A positive result from this game means that we control our destiny and that is an important thing,” emphasizes Dr Desiree Ellis, the four-time CAF Women’s Coach of the Year (2018, 2019, 2022 and 2023) and former South African captain.

A continental stalwart, who have competed in every single WAFCON finals since the inaugural edition in 1998, South Africa are one of only three nations to win the tournament. And Ellis wants her side to dig deep from this experience at this edition.

She says: “It has been a long journey. But this is about the first game which sets the tone for the rest of the tournament. I think it is the same for Tanzania.”

Not many players worldwide can say that they have represented their nation 150 times. For Refiloe Jane, the WAFCON 2026 presents what she is defining as, “An interesting tournament. A life-changing tournament. For us to be here is a chance to inspire the next generation. To be back here is a humbling experience and we are here to compete”.

“That takes a lot of hard work, discipline to represent with pride. So many things. We want to bring back the smiles to our people. We try to be the bridge of hope economically, politically and to unite our people. We want to come here and do our best.”

The Tanzanian tactician Bakari Shime, who has coached the U17s and U20s, is the man who orchestrated his nation’s first ever point at the WAFCON in their second ever appearance. The Twiga Stars lost 2-1 to hosts South Africa in their tournament debut back in 2010 and on their return to the competition 14 years later, managed to secure a point against the defending champions.

“We expect a very tough tournament. This is a gateway to the World Cup in Brazil. We are playing a very strong opponent in South Africa. Physically and technically, we are ready for the game,” Shime says with a big smile on his face.

Playing at their third WAFCON and a third time that they will face South Africa in the competition has Tanzania dreaming about an opportunity to further improve. A loss in the first matchup, a draw in the second one and who knows? Perhaps a win in their third faceoff.

As a nation, Tanzania have won two regional titles in South Africa – the COSAFA U17 Women’s Championship 2020 and COSAFA Women’s Championship 2021 in Port Elizabeth.

“We have benefitted a lot from different tournaments. Playing at the COSAFA U17, COSAFA Senior Championship and inaugural FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup. All these major tournaments have continued to give us exposure. Last year, we registered one point against South Africa and now, we are going to play them again. We want maximum points from them. I hope we improve a lot,” Shime states.

Tanzania striker Opa Clement's scoring prowess in front of goal has seen her move to SD Eibar in Spain where she continues to perfect her skill set but Opa is desperate to score more goals.

“Against South Africa, this is a tough game for us. It is an important game for us as Tanzania and we are ready. As a player and as a striker, I want to score more goals. It gives me motivation to score again. In Spain, it is a big league. There is something that comes with playing at that level and I want to replicate that with my national team,” Clement reveals.

The 25-year-old poster girl of the team believes that the Twiga Stars have since shed off the rawness that came with this current generation making their WAFCON debuts last year and now feel that they will offer even more to their fans back home.

Just like her name Tukumbuke which means “let’s remember”, Opa Clement wants her teammates to remember the feeling of registering that first point – their first at the WAFCON.

Both South Africa and Tanzania have scored in each of their last two WAFCON meetings – unable to keep a clean sheet in 2010 and 2025.