2024 WAFCON: Twiga face crucial Banyana test

MOROCCO: TANZANIA national women’s football team, Twiga Stars, are gearing up for a crucial Group C clash at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) as they prepare to face defending champions, South Africa’s Banyana Banyana in Morocco later today.

After a narrow 1-0 defeat to Mali in their opening match, the Tanzanian camp remains optimistic. Team Head of Delegation, Hawa Mniga, said the players are mentally strong, physically fit and fully focused on the challenge ahead.

“The morale is high. The players are mentally fit and you can see their energy and focus during training,” Mniga said during a media briefing yesterday.

“We believe that with the preparation we’ve had, we can win this game.”

Mniga emphasised that the team has put the Mali result behind them and is now fully concentrated on today’s fixture.

“The Mali match is in the past. The players are motivated and determined to do better today,” she added, praising Head Coach Bakari Shime and his technical team for their efforts in boosting the squad’s readiness.

“We have full confidence in Coach Shime and his team. The players have trained well, both physically and mentally.”

Mniga also called on Tanzanians to rally behind the team.

“We urge all Tanzanians to support and pray for Twiga Stars. National unity and encouragement can make a real difference,” she said.

Going into the second round of group matches, South Africa tops the Group C table with three points and a +3-goal difference. Mali also has three points, with a +1-goal difference, while Tanzania are third with zero points and a -1 margin. Ghana sit bottom with no points and a -2-goal difference.

However, history is not on Tanzania’s side, as Twiga Stars have faced South Africa three times in the past and lost all encounters, including a 6-1 friendly defeat in 2014 and back-to-back losses (1-0 and 3-0) during the 2024 Olympic qualifiers.

FIFA rankings also highlight the challenge ahead: South Africa is ranked 54th globally, while Tanzania sit at 137th.

In terms of recent form, Banyana Banyana have won all five of their last fixtures, while Twiga Stars have managed three wins and two losses.

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Still, the Tanzanian camp remains defiant. Coach Shime and his staff acknowledge the strength of the opposition but insist Twiga Stars are prepared to challenge the odds.

“We know South Africa is the favourite, but the team is motivated, well-prepared and determined to change the narrative when they step onto the pitch,” Mniga insisted.