Banyana Into WAFCON SF, Book World Cup Spot

Banyana Banyana have qualified for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations semi-final and booked their ticket for the 2023 FIFA World Cup after beating Tunisia on Thursday.

Jermaine Seoposenwe had the first chance for Banyana after dancing past several Tunisia defenders before losing slight balance and failing to connect properly in the ninth minute.

However, five minutes later Seoposenwe didn’t miss finishing off a fine move past the Tunisia keeper to give Banyana an early lead.

Tunisia had their first real chance in the 24th minute, when Andile Dlamini was called into action following a snapshot by Leila Maknoun.

Banyana lost a bit of control towards the latter stages of the first interval, but didn’t allow Tunisia another chance at goal. Instead, Noxolo Cesane saw a shot sail over the crossbar in the 41st minute.

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Our ladies took their slender lead into the break and almost made it 2-0 right after but Cesane failed to control a cross by Seoposenwe.

Cesane missed another great chance in the 55th minute after Seoposenwe had rounded the goalkeeper and passed it to her but her shot flew over the bar.

Tunisia came better into the game as time progressed but Banyana were still having the better chances, but Melinda Kgadiete and Cesane missed back-to-back chances in the 79th and 80th minute.

Banyana survived a late scare, as Tunisia were asking for a penalty in injury time but the ref waved play on.

As a consequence, Banyan have become the fourth African country to book their ticket for the 2023 World Cup, joining Zambia, Morocco and Nigeria.

They will face Zambia’s Copper Queens, who beat Senegal on penalties on Wednesday.

Remember, the new edition of the free iDiski Times newspaper is out and in Shoprite stores in Gauteng. You can read an exclusive interviews with AmaZulu’s latest signing, George Maluleka, Tshegofatso Mabasa, Jermaine Seoposenwe and Marc van Heerden, plus the latest transfer news on Lebogang Manyama, Collins Makgaka and Nicholus Lukhubeni. Make sure to get your FREE COPY at your nearest Shoprite in Gauteng.