Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Banyana cruise past Algeria
THEMBI Kgatlana rounded off the scoring as Banyana Banyana put one foot in Africa Women Cup of Nations (Awcon) qualification with a 2-0 victory against Algeria at the Orlando Stadium yesterday.
Coach Desiree Ellis’ side led through a set piece in the 40th minute. Hilda Magaia rose highest in a packed penalty area and guided the ball into goalkeeper Chloe Yamina’s open net to give the home side the breakthrough.
Banyana’s shining star, Kgatlana grabbed the second and final goal in the 90th minute.
Second half substitute Gabriel Salgado broke down the wing and found Kgatlana with a cross at the far post. The former African player of year smashed her effort in first time for a 2-0 cushion.
The national women’s team lined up without captain Janine van Wyk but the return of Kgatlana, Refiloe Jane and Noko Matlou, who was making her 160th appearance, gave the home side an added boost in quality.
After Banyana dominated possession in the opening exchanges, the away side almost took the lead in the sixth minute.
Metz fullback Belkhiter Morgan floated a ball to the feet of number 10, Merrouche Imene, who miscued her effort wide with just goalkeeper Andile Dlamini to beat.
Banyana’s best chance of the half came in the 32nd minute after confusion in the Algeria box.
Fullback Lebohang Ramalepe floated a ball into the penalty area, and after confusion between the two Algeria centre backs, the ball fell at the feet of Jane. The AC Milan midfielder failed to capitalise as she shanked a shot wide of goal with the goalkeeper to beat.
It was business as usual for Banyana as they dominated a very aggressive first half of play, Kholose Biyana and Jane proving instrumental.
Kgatlana should’= have doubled Banyana’s lead in the first minute of the second half.
The Atletico Madrid forward was played through, however a moment of hesitation allowed goalkeeper Yamina to get close and block the attempt to slide the ball in.
Algeria were almost gifted a way back into the match by an error from Bafana keeper Dlamini.
The Sundowns No 1 dallied on the ball as the Algerian attack closed her down, an attempted clearance fell to the feet of an away player but Bambanani Mbane rushed back quickly to block the shot towards a gaping net.
With a 2-0 cushion Banyana will head into the second leg in Algeria with confidence in five days’ time.