It was dubbed the ‘final before the final’ and it lived up to expectation.
The Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana defeated their bitter rivals Nigeria in the opening match of Group C with a convincing but hard-fought 2-1 victory in the 2022 TotalEnergies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco on Monday night (4 July).
Goals from forwards Jermaine Seoposenwe and Hilda Magaia were enough to ensure South Africa get their campaign on a positive note, while the Super Falcons grabbed a consolation goal in added time.
This was Seoposenwe’s first match for South Africa since 2019 in a friendly match against Japan – due to Covid 19 restrictions and visa challenges, she has been unable to honour a national team call-up.
She was able to arrive in the country to face Netherlands in a friendly match last year, but the fixture was called off after several Banyana Banyana players tested positive for Covid 19.
The 28-year old has now been capped 79 times with 17 goals to her name.
In their last four meetings – including the latest result – Banyana Banyana have now defeated Nigeria on three occasions: 1-0 in Ghana in the Women’s AFCOCN in 2018, 4-2 in Nigeria in the Aisha Buhari Cup and now in the 2022 edition of the women’s continental competition.
The Super Falcon’s last victory over South Africa was also in Ghana, in the final of this competition.
It was a gutsy performance from Banyana Banyana a star-studded Nigerian side.
“We knew that we could not physically match them, we knew that our strength was putting the ball on the ground, and we wanted to move the ball much quicker, even though I felt like our ball rotation in the first half was very slow. We just had to keep the momentum going and stay focused at the back. We controlled the tempo and I feel the players controlled the ball much better in the second half,” South Africa head coach Desiree Ellis SAFA.net
Banyana Banyana’s famous victory has brought some satisfaction to their sponsors.
Nozipho Mbatha, Senior Manager, Group Brand & Sponsorships at Sasol was elated with the results.
“It was a fierce and high energy start for Banyana Banyana for the first match. Their performance cemented our sentiment of #LiveTheImpossible. We are here to support them till they lift the trophy in victory,” said Mbatha.
Italy-based Refiloe Jane was a marvel to watch and bossed the midfield with ease – she even set up the second goal with a well-weighted defence-splitting pass for Magaia to finish with finesse.
Jane also wore the captain armband, with long-time captain Janine van Wyk an unused substitute on the bench.
Also covering herself in glory was Linda Motlhalo who plies her trade in Sweden.
She combined well with Jane to call the shots in midfield.
Motlhalo came in for high praise from Ellis, after she was named Player of the Match.
“I actually asked Linda for 45 minutes as she had joined the camp late, but the player gave me more than what I asked for,” added the Banyana Banyana mentor.
With the clash against Nigeria out of the way, South Africa will next face debutants Burundi – who lost 4-2 to other newcomers Botswana.
“We won’t underestimate any team that is here. I have watched the previous games and one should underestimate a team at their own peril. The Nigeria game behind us and we just need consistency. This victory is for everyone back home, all the coaches that have put in the great work and the people that are connected to women’s football. We know there are some challenges back home and we are trying to give hope to our country,” concluded Ellis.
Banyana Banyana face Burundi on Thursday (7 July) before rounding off their group matches against Botswana on Sunday (10 July).
By Matlhomola Morake (additional info from SAFA.net)
