Banyana Banyana ended their tour of Europe with a 2-1 defeat to England at Coventry Arena on Tuesday night despite a brilliant performance.
Banyana coach Dr Desiree Ellis made four changes to the side that lot 5-0 to Denmark in the first friendly last week bringing in Thembi Kgatlana, Hildah Magaia, Linda Motlhalo and Sinoxolo Cesane with Fikile Magama, Thubelihle Shamase, Nthabiseng Majiya and Kholosa Biyana dropping to the bench.
The visitors fell again on their challenge of not being able to defend set-pieces as the first goal came as a result of a corner in the opening 15 minutes. Jess Naz whipped the ball into the box and it found Leah Williamson who opened the scoring for the hosts in the 12th minute.
South Africa had a chance to equalise a minute later when captain Kgatlana set-up Magaia, however the bread winner couldn’t finish what looked like an easy tap in. The African champions were made to rue that chance as their European counterparts doubled their lead through Grace Clinton in the 22nd minute.
Ellis wrung in changes at the start of the second half bringing in Andile Dlamini for Kaylin Swart in goals and Biyana for Sinoxolo Cesane.
A mistake by the Lionesses saw Kgatlana capitalise with her speed to pull one back for Banyana in the 54th minute.
At the half hour mark Chloe Kelly took a long range shot in search of her side’s third goal but hit the cross bar. Nine minutes later it was Kgatlana’s pace again splitting England and she passed to Magaia to level however the latter’s shot was blocked.
The combination of the breadwinner and her captain continued to trouble the English defense this time Magaia setting up Kgatlana who found the back of the net in the 74th minute but was offside.
The South African captain had another golden opportunity to level in the 78th minute but shot wide. Dlamini was called to make a save with 10 minutes on the clock when Ella Toone fired from close range.