Banyana make SA proud, Amaglug-glug disappoint
BANYANA Banyana hammered Botswana 5-0 yesterday to qualify for the All Africa Games to take place in September in the Republic of Congo. The match was played at Dobsonville Stadium in Soweto.
Vera Pauw’s ladies hardly broke a sweat, scoring two early first-half goals through Mamello Makhabane and Portia Modise, and another three in the second half from Amanda Dlamini, Noko Matlou and substitute Silindile Ngubane to secure a 6-0 aggregate victory.
Banyana did not waste time in getting forward and Botswana succumbed to the early pressure, conceding a penalty after just seven minutes. Sanah Mollo, who scored the only goal in the first leg three weeks ago, was brought down and Makhabane netted the spot kick.
Botswana’s hopes of a comeback were dashed after just 14 minutes when Modise netted the second goal thanks to some good work on the left side by Leandra Smeda.
Banyana found the back of the net early in the second period through Dlamini, who tapped home from close range.
Matlou, a prolific striker who has been turned into a defender by Pauw, scored the fourth.
Ngubane, who came on for Mpumi Nyandeni, made it five with the best goal of the match. She struck the ball with the side of her foot from outside the box, giving Botswana’s goalkeeper Sedilame Bosija no chance.
Meanwhile, the national under-23 men’s team failed to qualify for the All Africa Games despite winning 1-0 in their second-leg tie against Sudan. The match was also played at Dobsonville Stadium immediately after Banyana’s match.
Owen da Gama’s charges lost 2-0 in the first-leg match played in North Kurdufan three weeks ago. Amaglug-glug dominated yesterday, but could only score one goal through substitute Menzi Masuku late in the game. STUDS UP: Banyana’s Refiloe Jane, in yellow shirt, and Botswana international Kitso Sheba go at it boots and all in the second leg of their All Africa Games qualifier yesterday