Defending champions South Africa were held to a surprise 1-1 draw by a spirited Tanzanian side at Stade d’Honneur in Oujda on Friday, missing the chance to seal a quarterfinal berth at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations with a match to spare.
Earlier in the day, Mali and Ghana played out a 1-1 stalemate at the Stade Municipal de Berkane.
The Black Queens had taken a sixth-minute lead through Alice Kusi, but Mali responded in the second half when Aïssata Traoré equalised in the 52nd minute.
With Mali dropping points for the first time in Group C, Banyana Banyana approached their clash knowing victory would take them top and confirm a place in the knockout stages. But it was not to be.
South Africa carved out a golden chance inside four minutes. Karabo Dhlamini swung in a perfectly measured cross from the left, only for Kgaelebane Mohlakoana to balloon her shot over the crossbar from close range.
Tanzania, undeterred, came close moments later. In the 7th minute, a right-wing delivery from Winfrida Gerald found Stumai Athumani, whose goal-bound header was dramatically cleared off the line by Lonathemba Mhlongo.
But the pressure would eventually tell. In the 24th minute, Ester Maseke Marwa delivered a deep free-kick into South Africa’s box, where Opah Clement outjumped both Mohlakoana and Fikile Magama to head the ball across a flailing Kaylin Swart and into the bottom corner.
From there, the reigning champions struggled to impose themselves. Their attempts to claw back into the match were mostly half-hearted until the 67th minute, when Magama launched a swerving effort from distance that Najiat Abass Idrisa did well to turn behind.
From the resulting corner, Banyana Banyana finally found the breakthrough. Substitute Lebohang Ramalepe’s delivery caused confusion in the box, allowing Bambanani Mbane to steer the ball past Idrisa. It may have come off her leg awkwardly, but the effort wrong-footed the Tanzanian keeper, who couldn’t stop it despite getting a touch.
Tanzania’s hopes of snatching a winner suffered a blow in the 83rd minute when Gerald was shown a red card for a dangerous tackle on Linda Motlhalo after a lengthy VAR review.
Despite hobbling off in visible pain, the Glasgow City midfielder managed to return to her feet, raising concerns over a potential Achilles issue.
South Africa now lead Group C only on goal difference ahead of Mali, and must secure at least a draw in their final match, against the second-placed side, to guarantee progression to the last eight.
The decisive Group C matches are scheduled for Monday, with South Africa meeting Mali while Ghana face Tanzania simultaneously.
