Banyana progressed to the 3rd round of the 2024 CAF Women’s Olympic Qualifiers after they thrashed DRC in a nail-biting match on Monday afternoon at the Orlando Stadium in Soweto.
The two teams went head-to-head in the first leg of the tournament last week and drew 1-1 However, Banyana forward, Thembi Kgatlana paved the way for the team in the second leg of the tournament.
Banyana had numerous attempts at scoring an elusive opening goal, however they could not capitalise on their possession, resulting in a 0-0 score-line at the half-time break.
Banyana came out guns-blazing in the second half, with Kgatlana scoring at the 71st minute, with help from rising star Nicole Michael, outwitting visiting goalkeeper Ngamita Tulaka Brigitte.
🇿🇦🔥#RoadToParis2024 pic.twitter.com/nBev8FwTiq
— Banyana_Banyana (@Banyana_Banyana) October 30, 2023
The DRC and Banyana were testing each others’ strenghts when Kgatlana sealed the match with another thrilling goal in the 88th minute, leading the scoreboard by 2-0.
Banyana ultimately won the match and secured a spot in the third round of the 2024 CAF Women’s Olympic Qualifiers which will be held in Paris.
With a 3–1 victory on aggregate, Banyana now progresses to the third and penultimate round of the Olympic qualifiers.
They will take on Burkina Faso on 27 November and 5 December.
Banyana Banyana are continuing their #RoadToParis2024 against DRC at Orlando Stadium. Continue making us proud @Banyana_Banyana, and do your best 🇿🇦 @SportArtsCultur @GovernmentZA @GCISMedia @fifinhojane @Official_SABC1 pic.twitter.com/ssiAIy2Wrs
— Minister of Sport, Arts & Culture (@zizikodwa) October 30, 2023
Coach Desiree Ellis said the team rued missed opportunities in the first half of the game.
“We could have gone to the halftime break with a lead, and we kept saying to the team, ‘keep the intensity up, keep the width up, and the gaps will come in between. Let’s move the ball around quicker,’ and that’s what we did in the second half.”
“We made sure that we did not concede, and this was also key. I said, if we don’t concede we will create chances, which we did.” said coach Ellis.
