By Harry Awurumibe, Africa’s No.1 Women’s Football Journalist
Banyana Banyana of South Africa celebrating one of the three goals against Black Queens of Ghana in Lagos on Friday.
South Africa’s Banyana Banyana on Friday humiliated Black Queens of Ghana as they beat the West Africans 3-0 in the Match Day 3 of the 6-Nation Invitational Tournament holding at the refurbished Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan in Lagos state.
This is even as Head Coach of South Africa, Desiree Ellis has said that her team could have scored more goals against Ghana on the day if they have had the opportunity of being together for a longer time.
One goal in the early moments of the encounter scored by Hildah Magaia in the 18′ minute and two in the second half scored by star player, Thembi Kgatlana 53′, and Sibulele Holweni 84′ earned South Africa an emphatic
3-0 victory over Ghana for the first time.
Banyana Banyana were on the front foot all day and could have gone ahead in the seventh minute but Ghana’s Coleman Ellen cleared the ball from the goal line to stop South Africa from scoring.
Also, in the 13′ minute, South African captain, Janine Van Wyk’s long-range shot from outside the box sailed over the bar but the deadlock was broken in the 18′ as South Africa took the lead in the when Kgatlana’s one-on-one chance against Ghanaian goalkeeper, Fafali Dumehasi hit the crossbar and dropped nicely for Magaia to head the ball into the empty net.
The Black Queens did not offer anything spectacular although Grace
Asantewaa had a chance to level the scoreline two minutes later but Swart Kaylin was quick enough to avert the danger as the first half ended 1-0 advantage South Africa.
On resumption, Banyana Banyana continued to probe for more goals and it was not long before Kgatlana, former African Footballer of the Year, doubled South Africa’s lead in the 53′ minute after she dribbled past Coleman Ellen and Fafali Dumehasi before slotting the ball into an empty net.
Hapless Ghana Black Queens
Although Ghana gaffer, Mercy Tagoe made tactical substitutions in the game when Konadu Adjei Vivian replaced Opoku Sonia and also Addai Monica and Justice Tweneboaa came in for Grace Adams and Diwura Soale Wasila respectively, the Black Queens still failed to score. Instead it was South Africa’s Holweni who rose the highest above Ghanaian defenders to nod in Rafiloe Jane’s corner kick for the third goal with barely seven minutes from full time.
However, Coach Ellis has praised her wards for executing her tactical plans, pointing out that they could have scored more.
Speaking after the game she said: “My girls are a bit rusty coming to the competition because our training programmes were distorted due to unforseen circumstances. But the players did well today (Friday) and we would have scored more goals.
“We were in control of the match. We can play long balls and we can play short. The game was not bad at all and I am happy for the girls. We needed a game like this to prepare for the competitions ahead. We can only get better”, Desiree said.
South Africa will meet Nigeria in the final game of the tournament on Tuesday, September 21, 2021.
South Africa line up: Swart Kaylin, Ramalepe Lebohang, Van Wyk Janine, Mbane Bambanani, Makhabane Mamello, Kgantlana Thembi, Jane Refiloe, Motlhalo Linda, Salgado Gabriella, Holweni Sibulele, and Magaia Hildah.
Ghana line up: Fafa Dumehasi, Gladys Amfobea, Ellen Coleman, Nina Norshie, Janet Egyir, Grace Adams, Wasila Soale, Grace Asantewaa, Princess Adubea, Sonia Opoku, and Portia Boakye.
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