The Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana lost their second match in a row against the USA Women’s National team on Sunday, 24 September in Chicago.
This was the fourth meeting between the two nations, with the home team registering a 2-0 victory with goals from Trinity Rodman (18’) and Emily Sonnet (49’) on either side of the half.
“Even though they had a lot of possession they didn’t hurt as much as they thought they would and I thought in that way we were better organised despite not having a lot of personnel here – so it was good to see how others stood up and how brave others were. A lot of players raised their hand, which gives us food for thought going forward. But we always said we wanted to make the core group bigger, and we always said we’re looking at the new cycle which has started,” Ellis told SAFA.net.
The clash in Chicago, in front of just over 25-000 fans, also marked the end of era for legend and icon, Megan Rapinoe, who has quit international football after 203 appearances for the USA where she won two FIFA Women’s World Cup (2015 & 2019) and is a 2012 Olympic Gold medallist.
Rapinoe was allowed to captain the side until she was substituted in the 54th minute, to a standing ovation from the full house at Soldiers Field, ending a national team career spanning 17 years and 63 days – only three players stayed longer: Kristine Lilly (23 years, 94 days), Christie Pearce (18 years, 204 days) and Mia Hamm (17 years, 127 days.
Desiree Ellis, Head Coach of the African Champions, made four changes to the team that lost 3-0 in Cincinnati three days ago (21 September 2023).
Andile Dlamini, Sinoxolo Cesane, Robyn Moodaly and Wendy Shongwe started in the second match, with Kaylin Swart, Gabriela Salgado, Kholosa Biyana and Jermaine Seoposenwe all watching from the bench, while Linda Motlhalo played in an unfamiliar role of a defensive midfielder.
Dlamini donned the national team jersey for the first time since 10 April this year when they lost 3-2 in a friendly ahead of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
“We said all along that we were going to make changes, we said we were going to test other players. We spoke about being a little bit more aggressive, we spoke about they were going to be aggressive, and we needed to be, we spoke about holding the ball and moving it around quickly and we did at times, we also held on to the ball and we got caught in possession, but I thought all round we played really well,” said Ellis.
“It was a really brave performance by the team, and I am really proud of them. It’s a big occasion for the US and the magnitude of Megan Rapinoe retiring – I think that also plays a huge role but I thought we defended well, we had a couple of half chances, and I’m really excited for the future.”
With Sinoxolo and Noxolo Cesane both named in the line-up, it was the first time that twins ever represented South Africa at Banyana Banyana level at the same time. Both have now completed their passage from the U17 and U20 Women’s National teams, becoming among a few that went that route.
On a warm afternoon in Chicago, the USA was dominant throughout the match, and could have scored more, but one strike was stopped by the crossbar in the second half.
Ellis brought on fresh legs, introducing Nomvula Kgoale, Melinda Kgadiete, Fikile Magama, Gabriela Salgado and Kholosa Biyana for Sinoxolo, Robyn Moodaly, Karabo Dhlamini, Noxolo and Kholosa Biyana respectively.
It was, however, a much better performance from the visitors compared to the first encounter in Cincinnati.
“Two difficult games, we came here prepared and we knew that it was not going to be easy games. I think today we really did well we had moments where we looked good and comfortable and we kept the ball, but one thing that we really need to work on are set-pieces because we always concede when it comes to set-pieces,” said Motlhalo.
“I understood my assignment and I wanted to keep things simple, and that’s what I did, and I didn’t complicate things and that’s why I had a good game. It is important to play against such teams because as a team we are getting prepared for the Olympic qualifiers and to compete against the best so that the rankings can go up.”
The result means that in four outings against the former World Champions, South Africa is yet to get a victory, or score.
They have conceded nine goals:
- 2016: (1-0)
- 2019: (3-0)
- 2023: (3-0)
- 2023: (2-0)
Match: United States Women’s National Team vs. South Africa
Date: 24, September 2023
Competition: International Friendly
Venue: Soldier Field; Chicago, Ill.
Attendance: 25,622
Line-ups:
USA:
18-Casey Murphy; 20-Casey Krueger (6-Lynn Williams, 73), 4-Naomi Girma (11-Alana Cook, 46), 12-Tierna Davidson, 19-Crystal Dunn (23-Emily Fox, 65); 17-Andi Sullivan, 14-Emily Sonnett (22-Savannah DeMelo, 64), 10-Lindsey Horan; 25-Trinity Rodman, 13-Alex Morgan (28-Mia Fishel, 65), 15-Megan Rapinoe (Capt.) (16-Midge Purce, 54)
Substitutes not used: 1-Alyssa Naeher, 2-Ashley Sanchez, 9-Alyssa Thompson, 21-Aubrey Kingsbury, 26-Jaedyn Shaw, 27-Sam Coffey
Head coach: Twila Kilgore
RSA:
16-Andile Dlamini; 2-Lebogang Ramalepe, 14-Tiisetso Makhubela, 3-Bongeka Gamede, 7-Karabo Dhlamini (5-Fikile Magama, 67); 6-Noxolo Cesane (9-Gabriela Salgado, 67), 10-Linda Motlhalo, 20-Robyn Moodaly (17-Melinda Kgadiete, 53), 23-Wendy Shongwe (19-Kholosa Biyana, 81); 11-Thembi Kgatlana (Capt.), 13-Sinoxolo Cesane (22-Nomvula Kgoale, 53)
Substitutes not used: 1-Kaylin Swart, 21-Katlego Moletsane, 4-Faith Nokuthula, 12-Jermaine Seoposenwe, 15-Lonathemba Mhlongo
Head coach: Desiree Ellis
Officials:
Referee: Carly Shaw-MacLaren (CAN)
Assistant Referee 1: Gabrielle Lemieux (CAN)
Assistant Referee 2: Melissa Snedden (CAN)
4th Official: Becky Pagan (USA)
Banyana Banyana used all but three players that travelled to the USA – with only Kebotseng Moletsane, Lonathemba Mhlongo and Faith Nokuthula not getting off the bench in the friendlies.
Ellis will be perhaps be satisfied with the two latest outings, but not the results, as the friendlies have most likely given her an indication of what personnel she has and what needs to be done ahead of the all-important qualifiers of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games as well as the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
But prior to these two assignments, Ellis and her technical team have to select a team that will represent South Africa at the 2023 Hollywoodbets COSAFA Women’s Championship to be hosted in Johannesburg from 4 – 15 October.
With a hectic Banyana Banyana schedule coming up, the COSAFA Cup group is expected to be made up of fringe players and youngsters. There will also be no overseas-based players as the tournament does not fall on a FIFA Calendar dated.
South Africa is in Group A alongside Malawi, Madagascar and Eswatini.
BANYANA BANYANA UPCOMING SCHEDULE:
4 – 15 October 2023:
- Hollywoodbets COSAFA Women’s Championship
23 – 31 October 2023:
- Paris 2024 Olympic Qualifiers
27 Nov – 6 Dec 2023:
- TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2024
By Matlhomola Morake
