Banyana Banyana survive Botswana scare in five-goal thriller

IOL News

28-05-2025

Gabriela Salgado Banyana's Gabriela Salgado clears the ball away from Botswana's Senwelo Leungo in Atteridgeville on Wednesday. Photo: BackpagePix
Image: BackpagePix
Banyana Banyana kicked off their Women's Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) preparations with a gritty 3-2 triumph over Botswana in the Three Nations Challenge opener at the Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville on Wednesday.
Early strikes from Jermaine Seopesenwe and Adrielle Mibe handed South Africa a dream start in the tri-nation series, which also includes Zambia.
But Botswana battled back with a goal in each half to keep the contest alive.
South Africa, eyes set on continental glory once again and with the Wafcon just weeks away, Banyana used their Challenge clash against Botswana to sharpen their blades – and they cut deep.
Having barely unpacked their bags from a double triumph over Malawi last month, Desiree Ellis' side wasted no time finding their rhythm.
Despite limited time in camp, the chemistry returned like an old song – smooth and dangerous.
It wasn't long before the tempo rose, the passes flowed, and the intent was that of a team looking to hit the ground running.
Back from injury, Refiloe Jane wore the armband like a crown, and wasted no time reminding the field of her class.
Her pinpoint diagonal pass found Seopesenwe lurking, and though defender Kesegofetse Mochawe scrambled the danger away, the writing was already on the wall.
From the resulting throw-in, Amogelang Masego turned sharply inside the box, setting up Seopesenwe for a powerful shot that was parried by keeper Sedilame Bosija.
But the ball went only as far as Mibe, who pounced with the hunger of a lioness, and South Africa were on the board in the 13th minute.
Botswana, still reeling, was caught napping minutes later.
Goalkeeper Kaylin Swart launched a ball from deep, and Kgaelebane Mohlokoana played through Seopesenwe, who showed grace and poise to take it down with a silky touch before firing past the on-rushing keeper Bosija, and Banyana were 2-0 up in the 17th minute.
Their last meeting between the two sides had been a cagey 1-0 win for South Africa during the 2022 Wafcon, but this time, the gap in class was widening.
Botswana, desperate for a turnaround, saw their attempt to build from the back turn disastrous when Lone Gaofetoge's misplaced pass fell to the feet of a prowling Seopesenwe, who, with eyes set and locked in on target, rolled it past the keeper for South Africa's third goal of the match.
Though down, Botswana were not yet out.
With five minutes to halftime, Bosija combined with Radiakanyo Duduetsang, who stepped up with a thunderbolt from distance, catching Swart off her line and giving the visitors a flicker of hope with a stunning strike to go into the halftime break at 3-1.
The visitors had found a new spur of energy and began the second half better than they did the first.
They would soon be rewarded for their patience, with Phenyoyaone Moloi ensuring a tense finish to the match with her 63rd-minute strike pulling the visitors back within one of South Africa's lead.
But it wasn't to be as Banyana were able to hang on for the win.