Banyana qualify for World Cup
BANYANA: 2-0 WIN OVER MALI BOOKS THEM A SPOT
Desiree Ellis’ charges looked well in control of the game from the onset.
Banyana Banyana’s World Cup dream finally came true after sauntering into the final of the 2018 African Women’s Cup of Nations following a 2-0 victory over Mali at Cape Coast Stadium last night.
The win saw the team book their spot at the 2019 FIFA World Cup in France, with top three teams at the AWC qualifying for the global tournament.
It was Thembi Kgatlana’s goal in the first half and a Lebohang Ramalepe scorcher that granted the South African senior nation- al women’s team their first ever World Cup qualification.
Kgatlana, who has been on scintillating form for Banyana since the start of the competition, winning player-of-the-match in three consecutive games in the group stages, now leads the goal-scoring charts at the tournament with five goals to her name as Banyana continue with their unbeaten run at the competition.
Desiree Ellis’ charges looked well in control of the game from the onset with Mali struggling to keep up with the pace of the Banyana players.
The South Africans got an early attempt on goal through skipper Janine van Wyk’s free-kick in the fourth minute. Some lovely play by Refiloe Jane saw the midfielder enter into the Mali box, but was taken down before getting a shot at goal in the 13th minute.
A minute later, Mali went on a counter attack which ended with a shot from Basira Toure, but Van Wyk was there to block the shot.
After numerous times of trying, Banyana finally got the lead through Kgatlana after a failed clearance by the Mali defence saw the striker making it 1-0 for Banyana with a half volley in the 31st minute.
After coming back from the half-time break, Banyana keeper Kaylin Swart almost gifted the Malians a goal after she spilled the ball, but the defence was quick to deal with the danger.
Mali looked to be a bit lost for the most part of the game with no clear cut chances created.
Banyana sealed the deal in the 82nd minute when a Ramalepe long range shot from outside the box made it 2-0 for Banyana.
The South Africans will meet with Nigeria in the final on Saturday in Accra, their second at the competition after meeting in the group stages.