 Banyana Banyana are just 90 minutes away from reaching a place in the 2011 FIFA women’s World Cup, after thrashing Mali 4-0 at the Sinaba Stadium in Daveyton, near Johannesburg today. Banyana Banyana occupy the second spot in the Group A fixtures at the CAF African Women Championship 2010.
The victory secured the home nation a semi-final place against the top side from Group B action to be played tomorrow. The countries that will contest the final of the African women’s showpiece to be played at the Sinaba stadium on Sunday, will automatically qualify to represent Africa at the FIFA women’s World Cup in Germany in June next year.
Banyana Banyana went into their final Group A fixture knowing that a win or a draw would see them to the semi-finals while for Mali it was a win-at-all-costs situation if they were to pip the South Africans for a place in the last four at the competition.
But a goal in each half by Banyana Banyana striker Amanda Dlamini ensured that there was no way back for the west African nation. In the 32nd minute, Dlamini powered home a header from a Nocawe Skiti corner kick to open the Banyana Banyana tally, after relentless pressure by the hosts on the Malian goal area.
Dlamini double her country’s score in the 76th minute to scramble the ball home from inside the Mali penalty area, after some superb work on the right hand flank by 17-year-old second half substitute Jermaine Seoposenwe. The Portland High School grade 11 student from Mitchell’s Plain in Cape Town, showed just why she has made such a name for herself playing for Santos FC in the Sasol League in the Mother City, as well as for the Bantwana national under 17 team and now Banyana Banyana, with her speed, skill and accuracy leaving the Mali defence in disarray.
Not surprisingly it was Seoposenwe herself who found the back of the Mali goal net with eight minutes of play remaining, and the 20 000-odd predominantly Banyana Banyana fans inside the Sinaba stadium soon had even more to cheer. Central defender Amanda Sister worked the ball over the Mali goal line from a free-kick with five minute of play remaining.
“Banyana Banyana created a host of scoring chances today and managed to capitalise on many of them and I am delighted that we are through to the semi-finals of the CAF African Women Championship 2010,” said Banyana Banyana coach Augustine Makalakalane afterwards.
|
