Banyana prepares for ninth edition AFCON Namibia
The fifth match the Sasol sponsored women’s national team played as part of their preparations for the African Women’s Championships.
SASOL Banyana Banyana is taking on the best in African soccer as part and parcel of their preparation for the ninth edition of AFCON. The South Africans beat Zambia 4-0 in an international friendly match played at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka on Sunday August 24, which forms part of their venture.“We still have a lot to do in some aspects of our preparation,” said Head coach Vera Pauw.
“We are also planning to play the best teams in Africa, but is very difficult to engage them. If we can play against the best, it means that our players will have the feel of how it is to play them in a friendly and not meet them for the first time in a championships.”
The first half goal by Shiwe Nongwanya, who plays for Bloemfontein Celtic ladies in the Sasol League and second half hat-trick by veteran striker Portia Modise from Gauteng Sasol League outfit Croesus, sealed the win for Vera Pauw’s charges.
This was the fifth match the Sasol sponsored women’s national team played as part of their preparations for the African Women’s Championships that will be hosted by Namibia from October 11 to 25.
The home side enjoyed most of the possession in the opening 10 minutes of the match, putting Banyana Banyana under pressure and forcing them to play in their own half.
Goalkeeper Roxanne Barker made a great save by tipping the ball over in the fifth minute, denying She-polopolo ladies a chance to open the scoring.
In the 22nd minute, Banyana Banyana came close to breaking the deadlock after Simphiwe Dludlu made a cross into the box, but it fell into the Zambian keeper’s hands
Sasol Banyana Banyana opened the scoring on the half hour mark, after Nongwanya received a great pass from Refiloe Jane, beating the defenders and scoring from inside the box.
Pauw made her first substitution of the match at the start of the second half, replacing youngster Thembi Kgatlane with Silindile Ngubane.
Banyana Banyana changed the pace of the game in the second stanza, enjoying most of the ball possession.
Modise doubled the score for Sasol Banyana Banyana in the 63rd minute, after receiving a hard and low cross from Nongwanya, finishing with an easy tap-in.
Pauw’s charges took charge of the match, with Modise completing her brace in the 73rd minute and a hat trick in the 90th minute, ending the match at 4-0.
Sasol Banyana Banyana travel back to South Africa on Monday afternoon to continue with their camp ahead of their next assignment in Polokwane against Tanzania on Saturday August 31. That will complete what has been a successful women’s month.
