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Banyana get WAFCON defence off to winning start

football07 July 2025 18:00| © Backpage TXT
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South Africa got the defence of their Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title off to a winning start as they defeated Group C rivals Ghana 2-0 at the Honor Stadium in Oujda on Monday evening.

Banyana Banyana outclassed the Black Queens thanks to first-half goals from Linda Motlhalo and Jermaine Seoposenwe, before repelling a strong second-half showing from the West Africans to secure an important result in their ambition of securing back-to-back continental titles.

South Africa bossed possession early on, but it was Ghana who enjoyed the first two efforts on goal – though neither was particularly troublesome for goalkeeper Andile Dlamini.

Banyana then claimed the lead shortly before the half-hour mark, as Nxolo Cesane earned a penalty from a late and clumsy foul by Ghana defender Grace Asantewaa.

VAR was needed to ensure the spot kick was awarded and Motlhalo coolly passed the ball into the bottom corner of the net from 12 yards in the 28th minute.

Just six minutes later the reigning WAFCON champs doubled their advantage, with Seoposenwe running onto Lebogang Ramalepe’s pass into the box before sweeping home a low shot which beat goalkeeper Cynthia Konlan at her near post.

The Black Queens threatened to pull a goal back via Asantewaa in the 41st minute, but her long-range drive was well saved by Dlamini, who dived to her right to turn the ball away for a corner kick.

South Africa enjoyed a 2-0 lead at the interval and started the second half strongly, with Seoposenwe having a great chance to extend the advantage, though she hit her effort straight at the Ghana ‘keeper.

The West African side was inches away from a goal on the hour mark, as Alice Kusi unleashed a long-range drive which had the beating of Dlamini, but rebounded off the crossbar.

In the 63rd minute Banyana put Seoposenwe in behind the Ghanaian defence, but the experienced striker pulled her low shot just wide of the mark with only Konlan to beat.

Ghana struck the woodwork again, in the 81st minute, as Comfort Yeboah provided a fine cross from the right to pick out Evelyn Badu, but the latter put her header onto the crossbar from close range.

That proved to be the last major attacking highlight, with South Africa able to see out the remainder of the match and take home all three points.

The teams will return to Group C action on Friday 11 July, with Ghana taking on Mali in Berkane, before Tanzania face South Africa in Oujda.

South Africa (2) 2 (Motlhalo 28’ pen, Seoposenwe 34’)

Ghana 0

SA: Dlamini, Magama, Mbane, Makhubela, Dhlamini, Ramalepe (Magaia 86’), Jane, Motlhalo, Cesane (Donnelly 86’), Motau (Mogolola 70’), Seoposenwe

Ghana: Konlan, Duah, Boakye, Achiaa, Yeboah, Asantewaa, Mohammed (Amoh 68’), Kusi (Marfo 67’), Boye-Hlorkah, Badu (Nyamekye 87’), Boaduwaa (Adubea 68’)

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