Barbara Banda scored a brace in the first half while Avell Chitundu scored the other goal as Zambia defeated South Africa 3-0, in an international friendly at Nkoloma stadium on Saturday.
Banyana head coach Desiree Ellis named Andile Dlamini in goals for the first time since June last year following her recovery from illness and Anthonia Maponya got her debut.
Dlamini was tested very early on in the game and made a crucial save in the fifth minute, but Banda who was left roaming free on the left wing opened the scoring from range a minute later.
At the half hour mark Banyana conceded a free-kick which Chitundu scored and in the 38th minute the Zambian captain completed her brace giving the hosts a 3-0 lead at halftime.Â
In the second half Ellis introduced Thalea Smidt for Maponya and Melinda Kgadiete was replaced by Noxolo Cesane , who didn’t stay long on the pitch.
The University of Western Cape midfielder got a knock and was replaced by Rhoda Mulaudzi. The changes did not bring much change except stop the Copper Queens from scoring in the second half.
South Africa will be disappointed as this fixture was part of preparation for the African Women Cup of Nations (AWCON) qualifier against Algeria later this month.
Zambia were also using this game as part of their preparation for their qualifier against Namibia.
Some of the players in the Banyana squad will be dropped to make space for the overseas based players who will be involved in the qualifier.Â
