13 April 2021 – Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana made it two wins out of two when they beat Botswana 2-0 in an international friendly match at the Wits University Stadium in Johannesburg on Tuesday, 13 April 2021.
This was their second match in three days – on Saturday (10 April 2021) they came from behind to defeat Zambia 3-1 at the same venue.
The Tuesday fixture had a special meaning to it as Botswana was the team that knocked Banyana Banyana out of the 2022 Olympic qualifiers.
South Africa head coach Desiree Ellis made four changes to the squad that face Zambia – bringing on Kaylin Swart, Tiisetso Makhubela, Koketso Tlailane Noxolo Cesane in place of captain Andile Dlamini, Bongeka Gamede, Sibulele Holweni and Kgaelebane Mohlakoana.
Mamello Makhabane wore the captain’s armband as Dlamini was on the bench.
With nothing to write home about in a tightly-contested first half, the hosts started the brighter of the two in the second stanza.
Thembi Kgatlana of South Africa celebrates goal during the 2021 International Women Friendly match between South Africa and Botswana on the 13 April 2021 at Wits Stadium / Pic Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix
They were rewarded for their relentless attacks when striker Thembi Kgatlana slammed one home in the 51st minute – she was denied by the evergreen Botswana goalkeeper, Sedilame Bosija, from a certain goal a minute earlier.
This was Kgatlana’s second in three days – she also scored the third goal in the clash against Zambia.
Five minutes later, Gabriela Salgado found herself in the box and beat one defender before sliding the ball past the goalkeeper from a very tight angle to make it 2-0 to South Africa.
The score could have been more as Banyana Banyana were dominant against their neighbours, but the heroics of Bosija just denied South Africa, the same way she did when they played the Olympic qualifiers.
Gabriela Salgado of South Africa celebrates goal during the 2021 International Women Friendly match between South Africa and Botswana on the 13 April 2021 at Wits Stadium / Pic Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix
This is how they lined up:
Banyana Banyana:
(1) Kaylin Swart (GK), (4) Noko Matlou, (14) Tiisetso Makhubela (13) Bambanani Mbane, (6) Mamello Makhabane, (10) Robyn Moodaly (Sibulele Holweni), (12) Nomvula Kgoale (Amanda Mthandi), (18) Noxolo Cesane (Khaelebane Mohlakoane), (7) Gabriela Salgado, (11) Thembi Kgatlana, (2) Koketso Tlailane]
Subs:
(16) Andile Dlamini (GK), (3) Ongeziwe Ndlangisa, (15) Oratile Mokwena, (5) Bongeka Gamede, (9) Amanda Mthandi, (19) Ntombifikile Ndlovu, (20) Lonathemba Mhlongo (8) Sibulele Holweni
Not in the matchday squad:
Kaylin Jordaan, Karabo Makhurubetshi, Xiluva Tshabalala
Coach: DESIREE ELLIS
Botswana:
Sedillame Bosija (GK), Veronica Mogotsi, Lone Gaofetoge, Nancy Baeletsi, Nondi Mahlasela (C), Masego Montsho, Kesegofetse Mochawe, Golebaone Selebatso, Lesego Radiakanyo, Esalenna Galekhutle, Refilwe Tebogo Tholakele
Subs:
Lesego Moeng (GK), Refilwe Tshambani (GK), Tshegofatso Mosotho, Keitumetse Dithebe, Nametso Sechane, Bonang Otlhagile, Goitsemang Tlamma, Atang Busang, Segakolodi Didukanyane, Masego Nfandiso, Leungo Senwelo, Nolofatso Mamela
Coach: Gaoletlhoo Nkutlwisang
For further information please contact:
SAFA: Head of Communications
Dominic Chimhavi
Email: dominic.chimhavi@safa.net
Mobile: +27 71 332 9886