Banyana kick off Cosafa title defence with victory over Angola

Sports

Banyana Banyana got their Cosafa Women’s Championship title defence to a perfect start with a hard-fought 2-0 victory against Angola in Port Elizabeth on Tuesday.

The match was the first outing in months for the host nation, and this was apparent as the usually free-flowing football associated with the South Africans was only visible in glimpses.

Straightforward victory for Banyana Banyana 

However, Banyana dominated proceedings throughout the 90 minutes, despite only breaking the deadlock six minutes from the break.

The breakthrough came through teenager, Lonathemba Mhlongo, who got on the end of some beautiful interplay in the midfield to poke home from close range.

Hildah Magaia could have made it 2-0 before the halftime whistle, but the Angola defence rallied well to snuff out any chance of another goal.

After the break, coach Desiree Ellis made a double change, taking off the goal-scorer, who was replaced by Karabo Dhlamini, while Nonhlanhla Mthandi came on for Mapula Kgoale.

That proved to be an inspired change, with Dhlamini making an immediate impact as she doubled the lead on the hour-mark.

The next half hour was not short of chances, but there was no one to extend the lead, but Banyana had enough control of the game to maintain the 2-0 gap.

South Africa’s next fixture is against neighbours, Eswatini on Thursday, 6 November. Kick-off is at 15:30 (SAST).

Cosafa Women’s Championship fixtures

POOL STAGES        
Date Group Fixture KO Venue
03-Nov A Eswatini vs Comoros 12h30 Wolfson Stadium
03-Nov A South Africa vs Angola 15h30 Wolfson Stadium
04-Nov B Zambia vs Lesotho 12h30 Wolfson Stadium
04-Nov C Zimbabwe vs Tanzania 15h30 Wolfson Stadium
06-Nov A Comoros vs Angola 12h30 Wolfson Stadium
06-Nov A Eswatini vs South Africa 15h30 Wolfson Stadium
07-Nov C Botswana vs Tanzania 12h30 Wolfson Stadium
07-Nov B Malawi vs Lesotho 15h30 Wolfson Stadium
09-Nov C Zimbabwe vs Botswana 12h30 Gelvandale Stadium
09-Nov B Zambia vs Malawi 12h30 Wolfson Stadium
09-Nov A Angola vs Eswatini 15h30 Gelvandale Stadium
09-Nov A South Africa vs Comoros 15h30 Wolfson Stadium
SEMIFINALS
Date Match Fixture KO Venue
12-Nov 13 1st Grp B vs Best Runner-up 12h00 Wolfson Stadium
12-Nov 14 1st Grp A vs 1st Grp C 15h30 Wolfson Stadium
FINAL
14-Nov 15 Winner M13 vs Winner M14 15h00 Wolfson Stadium

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