The Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana will face long-time rivals Nigeria for a spot in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games qualifiers – perhaps their toughest test in the competition after knocking out the Democratic Republic of Congo as well as Tanzania en route to the fourth and final round.
The South Africans defeated the Twiga Stars on Tuesday (27 February 2024) 1-0 on the night at the Mbombela Stadium in Mpumalanga, and 4-0 on aggregate after a 3-0 victory in the first leg in Dar es Salaam – to set up the clash against the West Africans.
Nigeria will host the first leg while South Africa will be home for the reverse fixture – both scheduled to be played between 1 and 9 April – the actual dates and venues for both matches are yet to be announced. It is going to be an anxious period to that date for the two teams as they will be waiting with the full knowledge that they are only two matches away from reaching the promised land.
Fixtures between Banyana Banyana and Nigeria have always been exciting and tough affairs, and this one is expected to be no different, more so that the winner will book their tickets to the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
The tournament will be played between 24 July and 10 August – and only two nations will represent the African continent.
The West Africans booked their fourth and final round spot with a hard-earned 1-0 victory over Cameroon on Monday, 26 February 2024 at the Moshood Abiola International Stadium in Abuja, Nigeria.
Ester Okoronkwo scored the winner in the 15th minute as the Super Falcons edged ever so close to returning to the Olympic Games for the first time in 16 years – the last time they participated was back in 2008 in Beijing, while South Africa were to the Rio 2016 Games, then missed out on the Tokyo 2020 event.
Back to the clash at the Mbombela Stadium, Banyana Banyana Head Coach Desiree Ellis made four changes to the team that started in Dar es Salaam:
- Fikile Magama IN – Lebohang Ramalepe OUT
- Lonathemba Mhlongo IN – Noko Matlou OUT
- Gabriela Salgado IN – Hildah Magaia OUT
- Amogelang Motau IN – Kholosa Biyana OUT
With the fixture almost a dead rubber after the first leg results, there was no urgency in the home team, while Tanzania still carried hopes of an upset.
It was only in the second half (58’) that captain Thembi Kgatlana put the outcome to bed with a well-taken strike from a well-constructed free kick – her second goal in as many matches, which proved to be the winner.
Ellis also made some changes to give more players a run with Ramalepe, Biyana, Nomvula Kgoale and Sphumelele Shamase checking in for Cesane, Salgado, Motau and Jermaine Seoposenwe.
Lesego Nkoane of TS Galaxy Queens was handed her debut as she replaced the injured Biyana who lasted only a few minutes on the pitch after coming on.
There was also another celebration in the background with Mexico-based South African forward, Jermaine Seoposenwe, reaching an incredible milestone of a 100 caps for her country – becoming only the 10th Banyana Banyana player to achieve the feat.
LIST OF BANYANA BANYANA CENTURIONS:
| NAME OF PLAYER | CAPS | GOALS |
| JANINE VAN WYK (retired) | 185 | 12 |
| NOKO MATLOU | 172 | |
| NOMPUMELELO NYANDENI | 149 | 39 |
| NOTHANDO VILAKAZI | 137 | 7 |
| REFILOE JANE | 134 | 16 |
| PORTIA MODISE (retired) | 124 | 101 |
| MAMELLO MAKHABANE | 121 | 22 |
| AMANDA DLAMINI (retired) | 105 | 24 |
| LEANDRA SMEDA | 100 | 22 |
| JERMAINE SEOPOSENWE | 100 | 21 |
| LEBOHANG RAMALEPE | 98 | 4 |
Defender Ramalepe is two caps shy of a century and could also join the elite group of players should she play the two upcoming matches against Nigeria – and become the 11th player to do so.
This is how Banyana Banyana lined up:
Kaylin Swart (GK), Fikile Magama, Asanda Hadebe, Karabo Dhlamini, Lonathemba Mhlongo, Noxolo Cesane (Lebohang Ramalepe), Gabby Salgado (Nomvula Kgoale), Linda Motlhalo, Amogelang Motau (Kholosa Biyana) (Lesego Nkoane), Jermaine Seoposenwe (Sphumelele Shamase), Thembi Kgatlana (C)
Subs:
Andile Dlamini (GK), Katlego Moletsane (GK), Lebohang Ramalepe, Nicole Michael, Nomvula Kgoale, Nthabiseng Majiya, Sphumelele Shamase, Lesego Nkoane, Kholosa Biyana, Noko Matlou, Nicole Michael, Thalea Smidt
Not in the match day squad:
Hilda Magaia
Head Coach: Desiree Ellis
By Matlhomola Morake
