Banyana Banyana came back from a goal down to record a 2-1 win over Malawi in an international friendly at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on Tuesday.
The South African women’s football team honoured legendary midfielder Mpumi ‘The Goat’ Nyandeni’s last match with a victory against a stubborn Flames outfit. Head coach Desiree Ellis also continued her preparations for the defence of the upcoming WAFCON title with a largely changed up side.
The visitors took a surprise lead in the 57th minute, capitalising on defence errors by the Banyana defence and mainly goalkeeper Kaylin Swart.
The first choice keeper made a poor call in trying to play sweeper keeper outside the box, an incident that resulted in a corner, and the Flames used that corner as they headed themselves in front with Swart again flapping on the 50th appearance.
Siyabulela....#LiveTheImpossible @SABC_Sport pic.twitter.com/8C58WfXRmo
Although it took a while, Banyana responded with a set-piece of their own, which second-half substitute Hildah Magaia converted. The winger reacted quickest in a congested box to blast home a half volley after the Malawi goalkeeper’s punch was not strong enough to clear.
In the 87th minute, Midfielder Amogelang Motau completed the comeback with a rocket of a free-kick. The 28-year-old scored her third goal in national team colours to ensure the hosts rounded off their preparations in a positive fashion.
Following an emotional first friendly four days ago that saw the end of Noko Matlou’s international career, it was now the turn of Nyandeni to take her bow in Pretoria.
And so it ends at Lucas Moripe pic.twitter.com/GSVYWgFqXJ
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The 37-year-old midfielder captained Banyana for her 150th cap and lined up alongside the likes of Linda Motlalo and the young Adrielle Mibe in the creativity department. The game was slow and lacklustre in overcast conditions, with the only real chance of the opening half coming in the first minute for the visitors.
When the two sets of players were afforded a water break after 35 minutes, coaches Desiree Ellis and her assistant Thinasonke Mbuli lay into their charge with a serious tongue lashing.
The core of those heated exchanges revolved around the team’s inability to establish any kind of rhythm and could not make precise and progressive passes when it mattered most. That telling off seemed to bring life into the hosts as they smashed the cross bar just three minutes after the resumption of play.
Kgaelebane Mohlakoana, back in the squad after a prolonged absence, was the guilty party after being played through with a through ball, but her attempt was too high and cannoned off the posts and out.
The heavens opened up heavily just two minutes before the half-time break and forced the referee to send both sets of players into the change room early and gave the respective benches a chance to make adjustments.
Ellis chose to swap out both wingers Mohlakoana and Mibe for the more explosive and experienced Hildah Magaia and Thembi Kgatlana, the duo lifting the game almost immediately. In the end, Banyana had more quality than the COSAFA visitors and made it back-to-back wins against them.