Banyana Banyana defeated Algeria 1-0 in the first of two international friendlies at the Princess Magogo Stadium on Tuesday courtesy of a Nthabiseng Majiya goal.
The game which marked Bambanani Mbane’s 100th appearance was a fifth meeting between the sides. South Africa has dominated with three wins including Tuesday’s, Algeria have won the fixture once while the other ended in a draw.
The match started slow with the visitors testing their opponents as early as the fourth minute after Gladys Ikene set up Ines Belloumou however the latter’s effort was too easy for Andile Dlamini to make a save.
Banyana responded five minutes later with Noxolo Cesane finding Hildah Magaia but the ‘Bread Winner’s shot from a tight angle and was denied by the keeper. A golden opportunity presented itself to the hosts in the 14th minute, Magaia set-up Lebohang Ramalepe who was playing at right-wing in the game, but Ramalepe hit the wood work. Linda Motlhalo got the rebound but her shot was cleared.
There was a scary moment for Banyana in the 25th minute with the defence caught napping. Ines Khiri took a long range shot and it went over the bar.
Banyana then broke the deadlock 10 minutes later through Majiya who scored her fifth goal in national colours from the edge of the box from a Refiloe Jane pass.
Cesane could have doubled the lead five minutes to the break but shot over the bar. There was also a penalty shout from Algeria after Lina Boussaham appeared to have been brought down in the box by Lonathemba Mhlongo just before halftime.
Banyana returned from the break unchanged and they picked up from where they left winning a set-piece two minutes into the stanza. Motlhalo sent it into the box to Jane whose shot was blocked.
There were two dangerous attempts by Algeria just before the hour mark and in the 61st minute, the first one going wide and the second one so close Dlamini put her body on the line enough to not be able to continue with the game as she picked a knock. Magaia also wasted a chance to get Banyana’s second goal in the 78th minute. One-on-one with the keeper, Magaia kicked the ball right into Chloe N’gazi’s hands.
The next match between the sides is on Friday at the King Zwelithini Stadium.
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