The Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana got off to a slow start in defence of their CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title when they were held to a 1-all draw by Burkina Faso at Stade Charles Konan Banny de Yamoussoukro in Cote d’Ivoire.
This was the second meeting between the two sides.
The last encounter, a friendly international, ended well for South Africa as they won 4-0 in 2017.
But this time around they found a very strong and stubborn Burkinabe team that didn’t roll over.
Thembi Kgatlana had put the ball in the back of the net in the 38th minute but was adjudged to have been offside.
After the recess, it was the visitors who rattled the net again, Hilda Magaia the scorer in the 56th minute, to give South Africa the lead.
They could have been 2-0 up nine minutes later but substitute Kholosa Biyana (she had come on for Janine van Wyk) was denied by the upright.
Burkina Faso upped their game and were rewarded with an equaliser in the 68th minute through Yasso Konate.
In the end both teams walked away with a point but it is advantage South Africa with the away goal rule applicable in the WAFCON qualifiers.
“It’s good that we scored a goal and unfortunately we conceded one, that’s not what we wanted coming here, but they have to come to South Africa. Now we know how Burkina Faso plays, I think we can just capitalize on their weaknesses but very unlucky for the result. We have one more chance to go and I’m pretty sure it will be a good result for us,” defender Janine van Wyk told SAFA Media.
Her sentiments were echoed by goal scorer Hilda Magaia.
“It wasn’t easy, but I believe that when we get home, we’ll beat them. If feels good to be back and also scoring after a long time without scoring and playing. It is also good knowing that we scored an away goal – which is a positive thing for us, even though we didn’t get the result we expected,” said Magaia.
Head Coach Desiree Ellis and her charges know there is a lot to play for, despite the advantage of the away goal.
“We started a bit slow but then we got into the game. We created a few chances and I thought we’d scored and didn’t think Thembi was offside. I take my hat off to the players for the brave performance, considering the travel, considering that they’ve been playing back-to-back games and we are not looking for excuses, but that takes out the legs,” said Banyana Banyana Head Coach Desiree Ellis.
“It’s all to play for back home because we got the away goal, but we could have sealed this game and taken the lead back to South Africa. The players are disappointed with themselves because we could have gotten a better result – the away goal is always crucial but it’s the next goal that’s going to be the most important. The away goal means nothing if you concede first.”
According to the rules of the competition:
“Qualification ties take place on a home-and-away two-legged basis. If the aggregate score was tied after the second leg, the away goals rule will be applied, and if still tied, then penalty shoot-out (no extra time).”
The second leg will be played at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville.
The overall winner between the two nations will qualify for the CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations that will be staged in Morocco.
Kickoff for the Monday clash is at 15h00 and tickets are on sale at R20 each.
Meanwhile Van Wyk, the long-serving defender of the Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana, is standing on the cusp of greatness.
When she walked onto the field against Burkina Faso, she equalled the African record of Egypt’s Ahmed Hassan of 184 appearances that has stood for 11 years.
Van Wyk led the team and wore the captain’s armband for the match – she lasted 39 minutes before being withdrawn, with her place taken by Biyana.
“I’m very happy that the coaching staff has given me this opportunity to step onto the field and very grateful for my teammates supporting me and yes it’s 184 caps – One Cap to go and just happy to be here with the team, and unfortunate that we didn’t get the result that we came here for but we have one leg to go which I’m sure will be a positive one,” added Van Wyk.
Van Wyk is now one cap away from becoming the most-capped footballer on the continent – female or male – and will break that record in the return match when she takes the field against the West Africans at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville.
After this fixture, the last one for Banyana Banyana for the year, the JVW FC founder will hang up her boots – she has already done so at club level, where she played her last match (Sunday, 26 November).
“Janine has been a fantastic servant for woman’s football for South African football and it’s well-deserved. We said we were going to give her the opportunity and we did. I am glad that it came off the way it came off. Once more, big congratulations to her on that,” said Ellis.
The squad is expected back home on Saturday morning (2 December) to continue with preparations for the second leg.
Banyana Banyana XI vs Burkina Faso:
Andile Dlamini (GK), Fikile Magama, Lonathemba Mhlongo, Noko Matlou, Karabo Dlamini, Janine van Wyk (c) (39’ Kholosa Biyana), Noxolo Cesane, Linda Motlhalo, Nicole Michael (53’ Lebohang Ramalepe), Thembi Kgatlana (83’ Gabriela Salgado), Hildah Magaia
Subs:
Kaylin Swart (GK), Lebohang Ramalepe, Faith Nokuthula, Gabriela Salgado, Sphesihle Shamase, Kholosa Biyana, Amogelang Motau
Head Coach: Desiree Ellis
By Matlhomola Morake
