Banyana’s Spanish trio wreak havoc against Zambia
SOUTH AFRICA
Matlou 39’, 42’, Kgatlana 53’
ZAMBIA Banda 17’
(3)(3) (1)(1)
BANYANA Banyana didn’t need a chunk of their overseas-based players to thump Zambia 3-1 in a friendly at the Bidvest Stadium yesterday, given that the connection of SD Eibar duo Thembi Kgatlana and Noko Matlou was enough.
The friendly was the beginning of Banyana’s preparations for the Cosafa Championship tournament and Africa Women’s Cup of Nations (Awcon) qualifiers later this year.
Banyana will miss out on this year’s
Tokyo Olympic Games after their qualifying campaign was halted by neighbours Botswana, a team they face on Tuesday in a friendly international at this venue.
Coach Desiree Ellis was without most of her overseas-based players due to Covid-19 restrictions. Spain-based trio Kgatlana, Matlou and Amanda Mthandi, who plays for CD Badajoz, were the only players released by their clubs.
Kgatlana’s impressive exploits for SD Eibar were visible from the outset, creating Banyana’s first opportunity with a telling cross across the Copper Queen’s goalmouth. But Robyn Moodaly was late to intercept the ball for a goal.
Soon thereafter Kgatlana went close to scoring after a lovely lobbed through ball from Sibulele Holweni but goalkeeper Esther Banda made a timely interception.
Out of nowhere, Zambia were ahead in style. Unmarked down the right flank, the Copper Queens’ captain, Barbra Banda, hit a diagonal volley that sailed into the top corner, beating a stretched Andile Dlamini in goals.
Banyana continued to pile on the pressure until Matlou rolled back the years to her days as a deadly striker. The 35-year-old, who’s now a defender, rose the highest in the box to head home a well-executed corner kick from Gabriela Salgado.
Thereafter the Eibar connection burst to life in Braamfontein. Kgatlana’s footwork inside the box saw her eliminate her markers before feeding Matlou who easily guided the ball past Banda.
Kgatlana the creator found herself among the scorers after Banda miskicked the ball, allowing the Eibar striker to easily tap in early in the second stanza.
Kgatlana came close to registering her brace after rattling the edge of the upright from close range.