Defending Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) champions South Africa were held to a 1-1 draw by 10-woman Tanzania at Honneur Stadium in Oujda on Friday, hence falling short of securing a quarterfinals berth with a game to spare.
In the earlier kick-off, Mali drew 1-1 with Ghana at the Stade Municipal de Berkane. where Alice Kusi‘s sixth-minute opener for the Black Queens was cancelled out by an Aïssata Traoré equaliser in the 52nd.
With Mali having dropped their first points, Banyana Banyana headed into the game knowing a win would put them top of the group and automatically secure their quarterfinals spot.
The defending champions missed a major opportunity in the fourth minute, when Kgaelebane Mohlakoana scooped a close-range shot over the bar after meeting an expertly placed Karabo Dhlamini cross.
Tanzania almost opened the scoring three minutes later, when Winfrida Gerald‘s cross from the right found Stumai Athumani, but her header was cleared off the line by Lonathemba Mhlongo. They would not be denied for long, however. In the 24th minute, Ester Maseke Marwa floated a free-kick from deep into the danger area, and Banyana were caught out at the back. Opah Clement rose above Mohlakoana and Fikile Magama, heading across the scrambling and poorly positioned Banyana goalkeeper, Kaylin Swart, into the bottom corner.
South Africa did little to inspire late in the first half or early in the second, as they looked to find a way back into the game. They had an opportunity in the 67th minute, when Magama almost fired into the top corner from around 20 metres as she slipped while shooting. Najiat Abass Idrisa tipped her shot behind.
Lebohang Ramalepe‘s delivery from the ensuing corner weaved through a sea of bodies and fell for Bambanani Mbane, who diverted the ball past Idrisa to equalise. The ball came off her leg, rather than being expertly placed, but all that mattered to Desiree Ellis’ side was that Mbane did enough to wrong-foot the goalkeeper, who was unable to stop the shot despite a touch.
Gerald was sent off in the 83rd minute for a reckless challenge on Linda Motlhalo, after a lengthy VAR check. The Glasgow City midfielder returned to her feet, limping, despite what appeared to be an Achilles injury.
South Africa remain top of Group C on goal difference, ahead of Mali, but they need at least a point in their last group game, against the second-placed side, to be certain of progression to the quarterfinals.
The last round of Group C fixtures takes place on Monday, when Tanzania face Ghana at the same time as Ellis’ charges take on Mali.
Moment of the Day: This was not a day of spectacular action. However, for the sheer shock factor, the most memorable came when Tanzania’s Opah Clement header sent South Africa into halftime of a WAFCON group game trailing for the first time since 2012.
Player of the Day: Lebo Ramalepe spared Banyana Banyana’s blushes after coming off the bench for Mohlakoana at the start of the second half. The right-back provided the assist for Bambanani Mbane’s goal, and looked lively as she bombed down the flank.