Goals from Hildah Magaia, Thembi Kgatlana, and Sibulele Holweni handed Banyana Banyana of South Africa a 3-0 win over Black Queens of Ghana at the 2021 Aisha Buhari Tournament.
South Africa coach, Desiree Ellis started the game with Swart Kaylin, Ramalepe Lebohang, Van Wyk Janine, Mbane Bambanani, Makhabane Mamello, Kgantlana Thembi, Jane Refiloe, Motlhalo Linda, Salgado Gabriella, Holweni Sibulele, and Magaia Hildah.
Black Queens of Ghana gaffer, Mercy Tagoe gave starting shirts to Fafa Dumehasi, Gladys Amfobea, Ellen Coleman, Nina Norshie, Janet Egyir, Grace Adams, Wasila Soale, Grace Asantewaa, Princess Adubea, Sonia Opoku, and Portia Boakye.
Coleman Ellen cleared the ball from the goal line to prevent South Africa from going ahead in the seventh minute.
Six minutes later, South African captain, Janine Van Wyk’s long-range shot from outside the box went over the bar.
South Africa took the lead in the 18th minute when Thembi Kgatlana’s one-on-one chance against Ghanaian goalkeepers, Fafali Dumehasi hit the crossbar for Hildah Magaia to head the ball into the back of the net.
Asantewaa Grace had a chance to level the scoreline two minutes later but Swart Kaylin was quick enough to avert the danger.
Asantewaa Grace’s left-footed free kick in the 35th minute went wide for South Africa’s goal kick with no arm to Swart Kaylin.
Thembi Kgatlana raced through the box and hit a left-footed shot which was saved by Fafali Dumehasi with no South African player to capitalise on the rebound.
Few minutes to the end of the first half, Ghana applied pressure on the South African defence but goalkeeper, Swart Kaylin’s save maintained Bayana Bayana’s lead.
Gabriela Salgado also hit a left-footed shot that hit the upright in the additional minutes of the first half.
After the interval, Mercy Tagoe made the first tactical substitution of the game when Konadu Adjei Vivian replaced Opoku Sonia.
Konadu Adjei Vivian swung into action immediately after receiving a pass from Asantewaa Grace but her attempt was saved by Swart Kaylin.
Former African Footballer of the Year, Thembi Kgatlana doubled South Africa’s lead in the 53rd minute when she moved past Coleman Ellen and Fafali Dumehasi before slotting the ball into an empty net.
Mercy Tagoe made other tactical changes with a double substitution in the 68th minute as Addai Monica and Justice Tweneboaa replaced Grace Adams and Diwura Soale Wasila respectively, but her changes could not prevent the South From scoring the third goal.
Seven minutes from full time, Sibulele Holweni increased South Africa’s lead to three with a free header from Rafiloe Jane’s corner kick.
South Africa will next face, host, Super Falcons of Nigeria in both side’s final game at the Aisha Buhari Tournament on Tuesday, September 21, 2021.
