Brazil were comfortable winners against Banyana Banyana in an international friendly on Friday evening, as the Canarinhas ran out 3-0 winners at the Orlando Stadium.
The Brazilian team, led by renowned head coach Pia Sundhage, the former Sweden and USA boss, were without superstar Marta, but still fielded a team of stars against Desiree Ellis’s team, who were also missing a few of their first-choice players like Noko Matlou and the injured Thembi Kgatlana.
It was a bright start from both teams, but it was the visitors with the first real chance, though Adriana da Silva’s header in the sixth minute was off target. Three minutes later Andile Dlamini, celebrating her birthday, made a big save to deny Barcelona star, Geyse Ferreira, from close range. Debora de Oliviera’s effort was deflected behind in the 12th minute, as was da Silva’s effort from the resulting corner a minute later. Some good defending cleared the lines at the next corner.
Dlamini saved from Ferreira again in the 18th minute, as Brazil continued to create scoring opportunities. Antonia Silva’s effort in the 23rd minute flew just over Dlamini’s goal, as the Brazilian right-back tried from range.
It wasn’t all one-sided though, but while Banyana showed some good touches in the middle of the park, they weren’t making inroads in the final third. And when they did, like in the 31st minute, despite causing all sorts of problems for Brazil, they were unable to get a shot off. A first effort only came for Banyana in the 34th minute, but while the idea was good, Noxolo Cesane was unable to get the ball on target, as she tried to catch Lorena Leite out from distance.
Finally, Brazil broke the deadlock, and it was a great strike from Ferreira, who gave Dlamini no chance with her 42nd-minute scorcher.
Two minutes later the lead was doubled, da Silva making no mistake as she fired in after Bonged Gamede’s attempted clearance fell at her feet.
2-0 at the half-time break, it was the South American champions in charge against the recently-crowned African champs, and although they made a few changes, they looked to continue where they left off when the second half began.
Banyana began to see more of the action, but while they continued to shine in the midfield, their struggles in the final third continued. And that momentum was broken in the 63rd minute as another defensive error, this time a poor clearance from Bambanani Mbane finding Tamires de Britto, who made no mistake, finding the net to make it 3-0.
Jermaine Seoposenwe went wide in the 77th minute, as she tried a shot from the right, after some good interplay with Linda Matlholo. Duda Santos wasn’t far off with her long-range effort in the 81st minute.
Hildah Magaia shot just wide in the 84th minute, as she tried from a set piece after Seoposenwe was brought down making a dangerous run.
Brazil at the Copa America Femenino:
🇦🇷 4-0 Argentina
🇺🇾 3-0 Uruguay
🇻🇪 4-0 Venezuela
🇵🇪 6-0 Peru
🇵🇾 2-0 Paraguay
🇨🇴 1-0 ColombiaTo put @Banyana_Banyana's 3-0 defeat into perspective… Head up ladies! pic.twitter.com/HZEzyBKG2u
— iDiski Times (@iDiskiTimes) September 2, 2022
While Banyana weren’t overawed, when the final whistle went Brazil were victors, thanks to Ferreira’s excellent goal, and capitalising on two Banyana errors. Banyana will look to improve when they meet Brazil again on Monday at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.
In this edition of iDiski Times, we talk to Sibusiso Mabiliso who talks about his time at Kaizer Chiefs and how he feels he didn’t really get the chance to show what he was capable of. We also hear from African football legend Yaya Toure, who discusses the significance of Benni McCarthy’s appointment at Manchester United as well as his ambitions to help grow the game. Get this and a whole lot more in the full edition below:
