Ellis’ team dominated possession, but several sharp saves from goalkeeper Najat Adrisa kept the Twiga Stars in the contest and they sealed a 2-1 win in the 88th minute to earn their first-ever victory over South Africa.
Tanzania had taken a 37th minute lead before Banyana centre back Bambanani Mbane headed home from close range.
Next up is another tough encounter on Friday, against an Ivory Coast side that demolished Burkina Faso in their WAFCON opener.
“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,” Ellis told SAFA.
READ: WAFCON 2026: Banyana stunned by Tanzania in disappointing opener
“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.
“Goals win games, we knew what Tanzania was going to do, but the two goals we conceded were poor.
“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.”