WAFCON 2026: Ellis critical of ‘poor’ Banyana after shock Tanzania loss

Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis was at pains to explain her team’s dismal start to their 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON 2026) campaign.

South Africa received a rude awakening when Tanzania beat them 2-1 on Monday, handing them a reality check despite being one of the title favourites.

Banyana Banyana had most of the ball and created a number of chances but failed to utilise them and were duly punished.

Banyana Banyana lost to Tanzania in their WAFCON 2026 opener. Image: SAFA

Tanzania opened the scoring against the run of play through Diana Msewa’s 37^th minute strike but Banyana quickly restored parity, Bambanani Mbane equalising in first half stoppage time.

Desiree Ellis at pains to explain poor display

However, the East Africans frustrated South Africa in the second half before Hasnath Ubamba shocked Ellis’ side when she scored the winner three minutes from time.

Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis. Image: Imago

The Banyana coach admits she expected a tricky game from Tanzania but is critical of her side for not utilising their opportunities.

“Goals win games, we knew what Tanzania was going to do, but the two goals we conceded were poor,” Ellis said after the match as quoted on the SAFA website.

“They had two chances and they scored them and won the game. I said before the match that it was going to be a very difficult match, but we also made life difficult for ourselves.”

Tanzania handed Banyana Banyana defeat in their WAFCON 2026 opener. Photo: SAFA

Banyana coach issues WAFCON rallying call

Banyana’s task has become more difficult as they must win their next two games against Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso to seal a quarter-final ticket. Next up is the Ivorians who warmed up for the Banyana clash with a 4-1 thrashing of the Burkinabe, a warning of some sort to South Africa.

“I felt that all three games were going to be difficult, but a good start would have given us the momentum and now the next match becomes a final before the final, it’s a must-win, and also the game after that,” added Ellis.

Thembi Kgatlana in action for Banyana against Tanzania at WAFCON 2026. Photo: SAFA

“We still have it in us, it wasn’t a good day at the office, we can be better than that. We cannot drop any more points and with only two teams progressing to the next round, we have to put our best foot forward. We knew that we had it in us to get positive results, and for that we are disappointed.”

Banyana will take on Ivory Coast on Friday, hoping to right the wrongs of Monday night.