Sweden outfox keen Banyana
Visitors just too strong for locals
Banyana Banyana were beaten 3-0 by Sweden in an international friendly at Cape Town Stadium yesterday.
The highly ranked Swedes showed their class by scoring three unanswered goals in a one-sided affair to stamp their authority, with Banyana coach Desiree Ellis left with more questions than answers as she prepares the team for upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
For all their dominance, Sweden needed an own goal from Bambani Mbane to take the lead, but there was no looking back from there.
Loreta Kullashi added two more goals to put the result beyond doubt.
Ellis, who is still acting coach 18 months after taking over from Vera Pauw, had given striker Sduduzo Dlamini a debut as the coach made four changes to the team that defeated Burkina Faso in October. Goalkeeper Kaylin took the place of Swart Andile Dlamini while the defence remained unchanged.
Lebohang Ramalepe started at right-back, with Nothando Vilakazi at left-back while captain Janine van Wyk played alongside Bambanani Mbane in central defence.
In the middle of the park, Refiloe Jane, who was rested against Burkina Faso due to fatigue, returned to the starting line-up where she partnered with Mpumi Nyandeni.
Leandra Smeda and Thembi Kgatlana were the other wingers, while the striker Chantelle Esau, assisted by Dlamini, led the strike force.
But those changes didn’t help much as Sweden ran amok.
Banyana will now be off to the Cyprus Women’s Cup starting from February 28 to March 8.