Africa heartbreak for Banyana
Our girls hold Nigeria’s Super Falcons but succumb in shootout
NIGERIA 0 SOUTH AFRICA 0 CONTINENTAL glory remained elusive for Banyana Banyana once again, South Africa’s senior women’s team falling short in Accra, Ghana, last night as the Super Falcons captured a ninth Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title.
Both Lebogang Ramalepe and Linda Mothlalo missed their spot kicks during the shootout after the full match and extra time failed to produce goals.
But Nigeria should have settled the tie before extra time because the Super Falcons missed a spot kick on 75 minutes.
Banyana veteran Noko Matlou, having just come on as a substitute, made a vain attempt to kick the ball away but only succeeded in directing it into her team’s penalty box, essentially gifting possession to Nigeria.
Kaylin Swart came off her line but was too late to get the ball and only succeeded in upending the Super Falcons attacker.
From the spot kick, Assisat Oshoala incredibly scuffed the ball wide of goal to the delight of the South Africans in the crowd.
While that was the most glaring chance of the game, both teams had other chances to get goals prior to the extended period and in extra time.
Oshoala had a penalty appeal turned away just before the break following a good run into the box.
Nigeria’s Francisca Ordega twisted and turned Banyana defenders but her cross was too strong on 37 minutes and she then shot over just after the break.
Swart also made two brilliant similar saves that saw her dive full on the ground to push the ball out, the first on 24 minutes and the other four minutes into extra time.
For Banyana, star player Thembi Kgatlana had opportunities too.
On 40 minutes she received an Itumeleng Khune-esque long pass from Swart, beat a defender but was too slow to take the advantage and the defender recovered to clear.
The tournament’s star player weaved her magic to beat three Nigerian defenders on 97 minutes but her shot was directly at goalkeeper Oluehi Tochukwu.
Nigeria’s number one then pulled off a fabulous save to tip over a free kick by Mamello Makhabane.
And she was the toast of her team after the Super Falcons prevailed once more, for the third successive tournament.
While having to contend with being bridesmaids once more, Banyana will no doubt find consolation in the fact that they have qualified for their maiden World Cup appearance, to be hosted by France next year.