Mozambique….. (0) 0
South Africa……. (3) 7 (Melinda Kgatiete 22’; Linda Motlhalo 41’, 89’, Gabriela Salgado 45’, 65’; Janine Van Wyk 64’, Noxolo Cesane 77’)
20 October 2021 – The South African Senior Women’s team was unstoppable in their AWCON qualifier first leg encounter against Mozambique at the Campo da ABB Stadium in Maputo on Wednesday afternoon.
Banyana Banyana came firing in all cylinders as they hope to book a place in the AWCON finals in Morocco later next year (2022).
The visitors took the lead early in the first half with a Melinda Kgadiete goal in the 22nd minute before Linda Motlhalo and Gabriela Salgado added onto the tally on the brink of half time (41 and 45 respectively) and the team went to the break with a 3-0 advantage.
Coming back from a disappointing COSAFA tournament Banyana Banyana approached their first leg like a wounded lion dominating until the final whistle.
Captain Janine Van Wyk’s long range stunner extended the lead for South Africa in the second half.
Motlhalo and Salgado both completed their braces and rising star Noxolo Cesane was also on the scoresheet to seal the victory for Desiree Ellis’s charges.
Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis was impressed with the performance and further gave praise to debutant Asanda Hadebe who was introduced as a second half substitute.
“We knew that we needed to start well, be positive and get a good result to take the pressure off us going to South Africa.” Said Desiree Ellis.
“I thought we were so good on the ball today and in that way we opened them up. We were solid at the back and created opportunities. We controlled every aspect of the game and the performance was very professional. We came here to do the job and we did the job.”
“We also gave a debut to Asanda Habede who got an assist. She played for the U20 not so long ago and today made her senior debut. We need to bring players all the time to give opportunities and refresh the squad,” added Ellis.
“We owed South Africa a performance and we want to thank them for always supporting us, I thought the players were magnificent today.” Concluded Ellis
Banyana will face Mozambique in the return leg on Tuesday, 26 October 2021.