Banyana secure Cosafa Cup final berth

INSPIRED by a two-goal barrage inside a minute from city winger Leandra Smeda, Banyana Banyana yesterday battled back from a 3-0 deficit to secure a spot in the Cosafa women’s tournament final.

The national women’s soccer team were looking down and out at 3-0 behind with 15 minutes left on the clock in their semi-final against Zambia in Bulawayo. But they drew level in teh dying minutes and then won a penalty shootout 5-3 to cue scenes of wild jubilation.

UWC player Smeda (pictured) started Banyana’s fightback with a goal from close quarters in the 77th minute, just four minutes after the Zambians had stretched their lead to three goals.

A minute later the South Africans were starting to believe they had a chance when Smeda collected her second goal, and seven minutes later an easy tap-in by Rhoda Mulaudzi following a cross from the left by Thembi Kgatlana, was enough to see their side through to the penalty shoot-out.

Lebohang Ramalepe scored the decisive penalty for Banyana to send them into the final.

The decider will be played on Sunday against Zimbabwe, who outclassed Kenya 4-0 in the other semi-final yesterday.

Yesterday in the first half, South Africa failed to apply the tactics which had got them to semi-finals. Desiree Ellis’ charges opted to play long balls when they were on the attack, instead of the quick one-two carpet-football style of play, which saw them saunter past sides like Lesotho and Namibia in their first two group matches to book their semifinal spot with a game to go.

These altered tactics allowed their opponents more space to play from the back, going into the final third.

Zambia were more composed in front of goal, and were alive to taking shots when the opportunity arose.

By contrast SA’s strike pair Thembi Kgatlana and Chantelle Esau were kept quiet by the Zambian defence. Refiloe Jane couldn’t make the team play with her typical passing game either.

“She-polopolo”, as the Zambians are nicknamed, took full advantage of Banyana’s confusion. Barbra Banda was the first name on the score-sheet, the attacking player sweetly heading home on 20 minutes. Grace Chanda made it 2-0 just before half-time.

Zambia would have thought that the game was done and dusted after Grace Zulu scored in the 73rd minute, but Banyana were far from done.