Banyana Banyana opened the defence of their Women’s African Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title with a 2-0 win over Ghana in Group C at Honneur Stadium in Oudja, thanks to goals by Linda Motlhalo and Jermaine Seoposenwe.
The opening 10 minutes of the game were a cagey and scrappy affair, with no shots and no threats from both sides. It was in the 13th minute that the game took shape with a promising attacking move from Banyana with Karabo Dhlamini finding Lebohang Ramalepe in the box, however the latter couldn’t control the ball.
Two minutes to the half hour mark Noxolo Cesane, playing in the 50th match in green and gold was, fouled in the box winning a penalty for South Africa. Motlhalo stepped up and slotted home the opener and six minutes later Ramalepe set up Seoposenwe for South Africa’s second goal.
Seoposenwe had a chance to triple the lead before the break but missed the target at the stroke of half-time. Meanwhile the Black Queens had chances before Banyana’s first goal with Alice Kusi shooting from range, forcing Andile Dlamini to make a save. Doris Boaduwaa missed the target from inside the box, while Grace Asantewaa also forced a save out of Dlamini.
The sides returned unchanged from the break and four minutes into the stanza Seoposenwe had clear chance to get Banyana’s third but was blocked by the Ghanaian goalkeeper. At hour mark Kusi had another go at the Banyana goals from range and was denied by the cross bar and Bowadouwaa got the rebound which was saved by Dlamini.
Three minutes later Seoposenwe narrowly missed the target with her attempt to get her second goal from a Motlhalo pass. Evelyn Badu was also denied by the woodwork as Ghana succumbed to the South Africa after returning to the tournament for the first time in seven year.
Banyana’s next game is against Tanzania on Friday evening at the same venue.
