Banyana Banyana reclaimed top spot in Group C at the Women's Africa Cup of Nations after a 1-1 draw with Tanzania on Friday night.
Women's Africa Cup of Nations
Result: Tanzania 1-1 South Africa
Date: 11 July 2025
Venue: Stade d'Honneur d'Oujda
Banyana coach Desiree Ellis opted to start Kaylin Swartz ahead of Andile Dlamini for this encounter despite keeping a clean sheet in the opening win over Ghana on Monday.
The Tanzanians enjoyed a lot more of the possession in the early stages of the first stanza as the reigning champions found it tough to get out of their own half.
Tanzania would go on to make their dominance count on 25 minutes when captain Opah Clement rose above her marker and sent a fine header into the far corner.
South Africa, meanwhile, struggled to carve out any clear-cut chances as the first half continued and they were restricted to efforts from distance, with Jermaine Seoposenwe going close with a powerful effort in the final 10 minutes.
After a rather disappointing first half, Ellis made a double change for Banyana at the start of the second half as Noxolo Cesane and Kgalebane Mohlakoana made way for Lebohang Ramalepe and Hildah Magaia in an attempt to get back into the contest.
Banyana did pull themselves level in the 69th minute courtesy of Bambanani Mbane, who lost her marker in the box before volleying home an inviting cross from Ramalepe.
Tanzania, however, were reduced to ten players with seven minutes left on the clock as Winfrida Hubert Gerald was shown a straight red card for dangerous challenge on Linda Motlhalo following a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) check.
Despite the numerical advantage, Banyana were unable to claim a winning goal and had to settle for a share of the spoils, as they sit top of the group, level on points with their next opponent Mali.
