Mbane warns Banyana not to underestimate Tanzania in crucial WAFCON clash

Past victories are no guarantee of future results – a truth Banyana Banyana veteran Bambanani Mbane knows all too well.

IOL Sport’s Herman Gibbs reported recently that as the defending Women’s Africa Cup of Nations champions prepare for their second Group C clash on Friday night (kick-off 9pm), Mbane has called on her teammates to avoid complacency when they face Tanzania’s Twiga Stars.

Banyana got their WAFCON title defence off to a solid start on Monday with a convincing 2-0 win over Ghana, played in searing 34°C heat at the Honneur Stadium in Oujda, Morocco. Mbane, who delivered a commanding performance at the back, was named Player of the Match.

Tanzania will not be pushovers

While the result boosted South Africa’s confidence, the 35-year-old Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies defender was quick to warn that Tanzania will not be pushovers – despite their limited WAFCON experience.

"We can't take Tanzania lightly," Mbane said. "They may be considered less fancied, but they have their strengths. We must approach this match with the same intensity and respect we had against Ghana."

Tanzania’s women’s team has shown steady improvement and comes into this year’s tournament with a youthful, determined squad. Friday night’s encounter will be their second group-stage outing in only their second WAFCON appearance.

Mbane believes that continued focus and preparation will be key. "We've prepared well, and our training sessions reflect our commitment to getting the desired result," she said. "We respect every opponent, and that respect starts with the understanding they are capable of causing an upset."

Familiar opponents, but still unpredictable

Although Banyana have beaten Tanzania twice in the past 18 months during Olympic qualifying – 2-0 in Dar es Salaam and 1-0 in South Africa – Mbane insists that past results mean little now. “This is a new game, and it's a tournament; anything is possible,” she said. “We’re not talking about what happened before – we’re talking about now.”

With another group-stage fixture to come against Mali on Monday, a win on Friday could all but seal a semi-final spot for Desiree Ellis’s side.

The players will also be hoping that cooler evening temperatures under the floodlights will ease the physical demands after Monday’s sweltering conditions.

“That will take us far in the tournament,” Mbane reflected. “Even when we might have obstacles – if we can overcome the heat, we can achieve a lot.”

So as the tournament heats up – both literally and figuratively – Mbane’s message is clear: stay humble, stay sharp, and don’t lose sight of the goal.