Brutal Banyana reach the semis
KGATLANA: GETS BRACE AGAINST EQUATORIAL GUINEA
Tshepo Ntsoelengoe
Banyana Banyana booked their spot in the semi-finals of the 2018 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations in Ghana after their 7-1 thrashing of Equatorial Guinea at Cape Coast last night.
Goals by Linda Motlhalo, Nompumelelo Nyandeni, Refiloe Jane, Amanda Mthandi, Jermaine Seoposenwe and two goals from Thembi Kgatlana were more than enough to seal the victory for the South Africans, while Equatorial Guinea’s goal came through Elena Nkuandum.
This was Banyana’s second win in two matches in Group B, having beaten Nigeria 1-0 in the opening game, which puts them on top of the log with six points going into their last group stages game against Zambia on Saturday.
They are followed by the Nigerians, who occupy second place on the standings after thrashing Zambia 4-0 in a game that played earlier. The Zambians and Equatorial Guinea occupy third and fourth place, respectively.
Banyana looked dangerous from the early stages of the game and it took only 18 minutes for Desiree Ellis’ side to get the lead, as Motlhalo scored through a spotkick after the Central Africans were judged for handling the ball inside the box.
Nyandeni made it 2-0 for the South Africans from close range after some brilliant work by Kgatlana in the 21st minute.
As the game headed towards half-time, Banyana seemed to relax and were punished as Nkuandum made it 2-1 for Equatorial Guinea.
However, South Africa were to add more goals as Kgatlana’s pace was too much to handle for Equatorial Guinea’s defence, before laying the ball for substitute Jane to give Banyana their third goal of the match in the 56th minute.
Having provided two goals already, Kgatlana was to reward herself, getting the first of her two goals four minutes later to make it 4-1.
The Houston Dash striker then got a brace in the 63rd minute, making it 5-1 for Banyana and registering her third goal of the tournament in two games.
Mthandi added salt to the wound of Equatorial Guinea with the sixth goal of match for Banyana in the 76th minute, before Seoposenwe wrapped it up with a calm finish to make it a massive 7-1 victory for Banyana.