Banyana Banyana opened their 2024 COSAFA Women’s Championship with a win against Namibia at a rainy Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Tuesday.
Isabella Ludwig set up Tshegofatso Motlogelwa in the last five minutes of the game to score the only goal of the game to hand Banyana victory.
This is a junior Banyana side with the seniors on tour of Europe at the time involved in international friendlies to prepare for the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
Banyana survived an early scare in the opening five minutes when Zanatha Coleman found Irene Kooper but Banyana keeper Jessica Williams made a crucial save. Kesha Hendricks also had a chance to put the hosts ahead but kicked into the opposition’s hands in the 11th minute.
Tshegofatso Motlogelwa fired a dangerous shot and slightly missed the target. The Namibians weren’t sitting back with Memory Ngonda firing a thunderous shot Williams’ way but it went wide.
Just before the half hour mark Yolanda Nduli set-up Tanna Hollis who was unlucky to not score from a tight angle. Irene Kooper was also a thorn to the hosts defense and had an opportunity to break the deadlock but saw her attempt go wide. The game went into the break locked at 0-0.
There were no changes for both sides in the second half. In the opening five minutes of the half saw South Africa with a good build up had Motlogelwa set-up Hendricks who scored but was the goal was disallowed at the University of Fort Hare player was offside.
Namibia could have broken the deadlock at the hour mark through Kooper however Williams came out and punched the ball to deny Namibia a goal. Kooper had golden opportunity before Banyana’s goal but was denied by the up-right. Banyana launched a counter attack after that led to Motlogelwa’s goal.
South Africa who are the most successful team at the regional tournament with seven titles are looking to redeem themselves from last year’s showing where they didn’t get out of the group.
The result means sees Banyana in second position in the group ahead of the brave Gladiators in second position and behind leaders Eswatini who they are playing in the second game after the former thumped Seychelles 6-0 in the opening match of the tournament.
