Banyana Banyana have qualified for their 12th consecutive Africa Women’s Cup of Nations tournament after defeating Morocco 3-1 on aggregate, following a 1-1 stalemate in the second leg of their final round clash.
The match took place on Wednesday, 23 February 2022 at Stade Omar Hamadi in Algiers.
With South Africa leading 2-0 from the first leg in Johannesburg (goals courtesy of Hilda Magaia and Thembi Kgatlana), the North Africans started aggressively in search of goals.
The Desert Foxes thought they had scored their first in the 27th minute but the referee ruled it as a foul on goalkeeper Andile Dlamini.
The hosts, however, never gave up.
They would take a 1-0 lead just seconds before the break.
This was after Naima Bouhani put in a cross for Sylia Koui, whose header beat Dlamini.
But the dressing room talk from head coach Desiree Ellis brought Banyana Banyana back in the game as they returned more fired up.
They were rewarded just after the hour mark (62nd minute) with a spot after Algeria midfielder Sofia Guellati, in a moment of madness, deliberately handle a cross from Thembi Kgatlana.
Tunisian referee Dorsaf Ganouati rightfully blew for a penalty which Sweden-based Linda Motlhalo buried to restore to give South Africa a 3-1 lead.
The visitors held on to secure their spot in Morocco – maintaining their record of having qualified for every tournament since 1995, while denying the Algerians a dream sixth appearance in the continental competition.
The five-time finalists joined the hosts, Uganda, Zambia, Tunisia, powerhouses Nigeria, Cameroon and Senegal, as well as debutants Botswana, Burundi, Togo and Burkina Faso at the 12-nation women’s football showpiece.
South Africa’s qualification and that of Botswana and Zambia means the Southern region has three representatives at the tournament – while Namibia and Zimbabwe miss out after failing in their campaigns.
The top four finishers at the tournament will automatically book their place at the 2023 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
The 12 nations that will compete at the 2022 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations in Morocco from 2-23 July.
Cameroon
Morocco
Nigeria
Senegal
South Africa
Tunisia
Uganda
Zambia
Botswana
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Togo
By Matlhomola Morake
