Banyana thump Malawi, book semis spot
6-0 marks Van Wyk’s milestone
South Africa sealed their place in the semifinals of the 2018 Cosafa Women’s Championship in Port Elizabeth on Monday, but there was no such joy for Zimbabwe as they were edged to the top of Group C by East African guests Uganda.
Zimbabwe will face an anxious wait to see if they will qualify for the semifinals as best-placed runner-up, though they would need an unlikely set of results to go their way.
Banyana Banyana were dominant in their 6-0 victory over Malawi, with coach Desiree Ellis playing the Houston Dash trio of Janine van Wyk, Linda Motlhalo and Thembi Kgatlana.
The match also marked Van Wyk’s 150th international appearance. The milestone extended the Banyana captain’s record as Africa’s most capped player of all time.
The hosts took the lead in the 11th minute, when Kgatlana teed-up Motlhalo on the edge of the box and the latter fired home with a pinpoint shot.
Khanya Xesi moved to joint top of the scorers charts in the tournament with a brace, the first taking advantage of a mix-up at the back for Malawi. Xesi’s second was an easy tapin after she was set up by Kgaelebane Mohlakoana.
Mohlakoana had grabbed a goal of her own just after halftime with a shot after Malawi had failed to clear a cross.
Motlhalo capped a superb individual display with two late goals, the first again set up by the pacey Kgatlana, as she joined Xesi and Cameroon’s Mpeh Bissong at the top of the scorers’ charts.
Botswana played to a 0-0 draw with Madagascar in their final Group A game which saw them finish with four points and being eliminated from the competition.
Uganda sealed a surprise 2-1 win over last year’s beaten finalists Zimbabwe, thanks to keeper Ruth Atoru’s heroics.