Visiting Banyana humiliate Botswana

FREDERICK KEBADIRETSE
Staff Writer | Monday May 16, 2011 00:00

 

MOLEPOLOLE: The national Under-23 women soccer team crashed out of the running of this year's All-Africa Games after a 4-0 humiliation by visiting South Africa at the Molepolole Sports Complex on Sunday afternoon.

Leading 1-0 from the first leg, the Botswana girls failed to stand the test and bowed out 4-1 on aggregate to Banyana Banyana in the last stage of the qualifiers. The win means South Africa has qualified for the All-Africa Games in Maputo, Mozambique in September.

After the shock defeat at home in the first leg, South Africa were on a revenge mission yesterday and put Botswana under immense pressure from the first whistle and scored in the third minute. Noko Matlou pounced on a loose ball from close range to give Banyana Banyana the lead and level the scores 1-1 on aggregate. 

The visitors employed the offensive 4-3-3 formation, attacking in large numbers and catching Botswana off-guard.

South Africa was welcoming back four key players including goalkeeper Thoko Mndawni and centre-back Janine van Wyk who both missed the first leg through injury.  The early goal seemed to have unsettled Botswana players as they huffed and puffed throughout the first half.

Banyana doubled their lead in the 23rd minute through captain Amandla Dlamini before Mary Ntsweng scored the third three minutes later. Ntsweng, who also missed the first leg made a significant contribution to the team in attack. South Africa had a comfortable 3-0 lead by halftime.

The visitors continued attacking in the second half and could have extended their tally had it not been for some good goalkeeping from Wame Guilty. Botswana saw their penalty plea turned down in the 74th minute after substitute Balotlhanyi Johannes was brought down in the box in a one-on-one with Van Wyk. Matlou put the game beyond Botswana's reach with another goal in the 78th minute to complete her brace.

The line-ups: Botswana: Wame Guilty-Kgomotso Molefe, Neo Masimola (Balotlhanyi Johannes 67), Lebogang Setereke (Nthabiseng Mogatle 53), Tshiamo Ramaeba-Thuto Ramafifi, Bonang Otlhagile, Golebaone Selebatso, Tlamelo Motlhale, Amogelang Moahi-Nondi Mahlasela

South Africa: Thoko Mndaweni-Simphiwe Masina, Nanine van Wyk, Amanda Sister, Gabisile Hlumbane- Ntsweng (Robyn Moodaky 62), Mamello Makhabane, Nomathemba Nsibande (Yola Jafta 50), Dlamini-Nothando Vilakazi, Matlou (Jermaine Seoposengwe 79)Cautions: Matlou 78