Cyprus Cup campaign could leave Banyana dispirited ahead of World Cup

South Africa 0 Finland (1) 3

WINLESS in four matches, 13 goals conceded and a mere four scored.

That is the sad story of Banyana Banyana’s 2019 Cyprus Women’s Cup participation, a campaign that saw them ending in 10th place in the 12 nation tournament.

Coming as it did a few months before the Women’s World Cup, the competition could well leave Banyana dispirited ahead of their maiden appearance at the global showpiece.

Yesterday’s mauling by Finland was their third defeat in four matches, Desiree Ellis’ team having drawn 2-2 with the Scandinavians in their opening match.

Defeats by North Korea, 4-1, and the Czech Republic, 3-1, followed thereafter leaving Banyana to contest the playoff for ninth place against a familiar foe.

Having come from behind twice to hold the Finns in their opening match, there was a generally confident mood in the Banyana camp as they went into their final tournament game in Paralimni.

The fact that veteran Noko Matlou earned her 150th cap and captained the team served to lift spirits further.

Expectedly, Ellis tweaked her team – the coach making a massive six changes from the side that started against the Czechs on Monday.

All of Matlou, goalkeeper Kaylin Swart, Nothando Vilakazi, Karabo Dhlamini, Busisiwe Ndimeni and Molatelo Sebata got to start in the place of Janine van Wyk, Andile Dlamini, Rhoda Mulaudzi, Linda Motlhalo, Refiloe Jane and Leandra Smeda.

The changes appeared to be working as the South Africans held their own for the first half hour against the strong Finns.

But they soon went down as Finland headed in the opener in the 31st minute.

Within five minutes after halftime Finland added a second goal to the scoresheet after Kaylin Swart errornously passed the ball to an opponent.

As long as the scoreline remained at 2-0, Banyana remained hopeful and Ellis made some changes she hoped and believed would get them back into the game. But there was just no breaching the Finland defence and instead it was the Europeans who found the net four minutes from time as they secured a resounding victory.