Sports Desk Reporter
Banyana Banyana will launch their 2026 CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations campaign against Tanzania in Casablanca, Morocco, today, targeting a winning start in Group B.
The South Africans have spent the past week fine-tuning their preparations in North Africa ahead of the opening fixture. They are grouped with Tanzania, Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso.
Victory would give Banyana early momentum in the tournament as they look to progress to the knockout stages. The four semi-finalists will also qualify automatically for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Coach Dr Desiree Ellis said getting a positive result in the first match would be crucial for the team’s campaign.
“The first match is very important as it sets the tone for the rest of the tournament; you have to go all out with guns blazing. Everything we have done, everything we have prepared, was towards this game because you cannot prepare further than that without getting a good result. We have faced Tanzania a couple of times before and the games have been very tight; they can play, and they bring a lot of physicality, but we have dealt with teams like these in past, and we have prepared extremely well for the game. But what will be key is to keep a clean sheet and control the game,” said Ellis.
Captain Refiloe Jane expects another tough contest against the East Africans.
“Tanzania is not going to be easy; we know that they are a difficult team to face. They are relentless and play until the last whistle. We have to ensure that whatever chance we get, we capitalise and score. You win your first game, and you move on with high confidence, so it will be important for us to get a positive result against Tanzania,” Jane said.
There could also be a personal milestone for midfielder Linda Motlhalo. Should she be named in the starting line-up, she will earn her 100th senior international cap for Banyana Banyana.
The tournament began on Sunday and runs until 16 August, with Nigeria defending the continental title.