A moment of brilliance in the 87th minute by Amogelang Motau ensured the Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana completed a double over a resurgent Malawi at a wet and windy Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville on Tuesday (8 April).
The Mexico-based midfielder struck a rocket of a free kick past the Scorchers goalkeeper to give the African Champions a 2-1 win – this after the visitors had taken the lead in the 58th minute before second half substitute Hilda Magaia levelled matters in the 74th minute.
“My teammates would say this is not an accident, I’ve been practicing these at training, and I think they’ve become part of what I have at the back of my pocket as a player, but I would like to credit the technical team that’s been helping us at training and helping us prepare well. I think it was evident in this game that we prepared well,” said a beaming Motau.
The former University of the Western Cape (UWC) captain says the presence of new faces in the team is a clear indication of the changes happening in the squad.
“The team is going through a transitional phase, but I think things are coming together with new faces in the team, but we have guidance from the ones who are playing overseas obviously now me included and I hope that I can contribute positively towards preparing the team and being ready for WAFCON,” she added.
The win was the second for the African Champions over Malawi in two legs, following the 3-0 victory on Saturday at the UJ Soccer Stadium in Soweto.
Banyana were using the games to prepare for the defence of their TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in July in Morocco.
But also, these were farewell matches for long-serving women’s football stalwarts, Noko Matlou and Nompumelelo Nyandeni.
The former brought down the curtain on her national team career when she captained the team in the first match, while the latter donned the Banyana jersey for the last time at the Lucas Moripe Stadium.
“To be honest, I never thought I would reach 150 caps, I was just playing and living my dream. So, I am very happy that I am one of the most capped players. If you look at football from long ago when I used to play with the likes of Portia Modise, Veronica Phewa, we were just playing to represent our country, we never knew we could reach such milestones, we were just representing with smiles and passion, so I am really happy I got this far,” said an emotional Nyandeni.
This was her 150th match for the national team, coming six years after her last call-up to Banyana in 2019. She is third on the list of the most capped football players in the country, with Janine van Wyk (185) leading the pack, followed by Matlou (174.)
“I can say people will remember me by my smile and for being there when the country qualified for the first Olympics (2012) as we had never done that before – and we even qualified for back-to-back Games (Rio 2016). I just want to be remembered as one of those who fought for the country and the current players took the lead from us because I followed the likes of Portia, then came Noko and Janine, so we always have to pave the way for the young ones,” added Nyandeni.
“So, I am glad I got the chance to represent my country even though today is the last time, and I do so with a happy smile. To all my fans, I thank you for all the support that took me from where I was back then to where I am today. I ask that you continue to support the young ones coming through.”
The JVW player will continue with club football for as long as her body allows but already has plans beyond her playing career.
“I am a believer in giving back to the community, so I will be coaching because that is what I was doing at JVW and share my experiences as I can’t take it with me. The young ones following behind will need that experience, so I will continue supporting them because South Africa has a lot of talent, so they need us,” she said.
Banyana will take a short break as the players focus on club football. The national team returns to action at the end of next month (26 May – 3 June) where they are expected to play two more friendly matches in their final preparations for WAFCON 2025.
By Matlhomola Morake
