Banyana Banyana booked their spot in the quarter-finals of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations after beating Burundi 3-1 on Thursday, although the victory could have been by a much, much bigger margin.
Desiree Ellis made four changes to the team that beat Nigeria 2-1 in their opening game on Monday, and Banyana started the game on the front foot and pushed Burundi deep into their own half for large parts of the opening 15 minutes.
The first chance fell to Thembi Kgatlana who shot over the bar in the third minute after it had been given away cheaply by the Burundi defence.
Kgatlana had another chance in the ninth minute when she did all the hard work past the left flank to cut inside the box but her shot just went past the far post.
The Banyana striker got lucky on her third attempt following a swift counter via Noxolo Cesane to finish into the bottom corner for her first goal at the tournament in the 20th minute.
Burundi then scored against the run of play in the 30th minute after the Banyana defence were caught sleeping, with Anielle Uwimana finishing from close range.
However, Banyana were back in front just a minute later when Amogelang Masego Motau restored their lead.
Banyana should’ve scored a third when Kgatlana rounded the Burundi keeper and only had a defender to beat with Jeraine Seoposenwe free on the other side, but she opted to finish herself and it was cleared off the goalline.
Banyana had another chance to add to the scoreline just before the break when Seoposenwe was brought down inside the box, but she missed the resulting penalty, with Jeanine Irakoze saving.
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It was almost another goal for Banyana in the opening minute of the second half, but Burundi were able to clear the ball off the line.
Banyana were awarded another penalty after Kgatlana was fouled by the goalkeeper in the 52nd minute, Linda Motlhalo, who came on at halftime took the spot-kick this time, and made no mistake to make it 3-1.
Kgatlana almost added it to the tally a minute later but shot straight at the keeper, while another rare chance for Burundi was on target in the 55th minute, but Andile Dlamini plucked the ball out of the air.
Motlhalo should’ve scored in the 63rd minute, but after rounding the goalkeeper shot narrowly wide. Refiloe Jane’s effort a minute later went straight at Irakoze, who did well to save another Jane attempt in the 68th minute.
Burundi were reduced to ten in the 72nd minute, after a VAR check, with Annociate Nshimirimana sent off for a foul on Seoposenwe, where she was the last line of the defence.
Banyana continued to miss chances to increase the scoreline, with Irakoze making some good saves, and the woodwork rescuing her on one occasion.
But while Banyana and Ellis will be disappointed and frustrated to not have won by a much larger scoreline, the victory was enough for South Africa to ensure their place in the quarter-finals, with a Group match against neighbours Botswana still to come.
