African champions Banyana-Banyana lost their third successive international friendly going down 3-0 to Jamaica at Catherine Hall Sports Complex in Montego Bay on Saturday morning.
Goals came from Siobhan Wilson in the first half and Khadija Shaw’s brace in the second half. The defeat follows those against Denmark and England in October.
The match started slowly for both sides with none creating clear scoring chances in the opening minutes. Banyana had a slim shot in the opening five minutes from Noxolo Cesane but was too tame to cause any trouble. The hosts had a shot in the eighth minute with Deneisha Blackwood trying to find Jody Brown but the latter was late in the box.
South Africa won a set-piece in the 19th minute, Kholosa Biyana stepped up but couldn’t find anyone to finish in the box. Jamaica won three successive corners after 25 minutes with the third one resulting into a straight goal by Wilson in the 28th minute.
This was the hosts’ first international goal at home since November 2022. The Reggae Girls could have doubled their lead in the 34th minute when Jade Bailey saw Andile Dlamini off position and set-up Brown but the latter missed the target faced with an open net.
Banyana coach Dr Desiree Ellis made two changes at the start of the second half brining on Gugu Dlamini for Nicole Michael and Nomvula Kgoale for Amogelang Motau. However, it was Jamaica that had some urgency in trying to get another goal in the opening two minutes of the stanza.
Shaw passed to Atlanta Primus and only forced Sticks to make a save. Six minutes from that Banyana won a set-piece, Kgoale found Linda Motlhalo however the keeper made a save.
South Africa lived to regret not taking that chance in the 55th minute when Jamaica constructed a team goal which was converted by their captain Shaw to double their lead. Shaw wasn’t done as she completed her brace with the winner in the 83rd minute.
The sides will meet in the second friendly scheduled for 2 December at the same venue.
