Banyana Banyana star Linda Motlhalo feels luck and experience was on her side as she slotted home the penalty that sent them through to the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations final.
The 24-year-old has been one of the crowd favourites at the tournament in Morocco as she’s dazzled the host nation and even opposition fans at times with her immense technical ability that’s seen her firmly ranked as one of Player of the Tournament candidates.
She netted a stoppage-time winner, albeit in controversial circumstances in the Cosafa derby on Monday that sent Banyana to their sixth continental final and left their rivals riling over what they felt was an incorrect decision.
But amid all the noise and pressure, the Djurgardens star was her usual upbeat self and admits she wasn’t as cool and composed when stepping up to the spot.
“Performance-wise we could’ve done better but this is a tournament, sometimes you’re going to be bad, sometimes you’re going to be good,” Motlalho tells iDiski Times.
“We take what we take and today we got a win and that’s what we’re gonna take. With the penalty, it’s a 50-50 thing and I guess I had a bit of luck but also experience today. I was super, super nervous but like I said it’s a luck thing.”
On the support she’s received she admits it’s just been about going out there and expressing herself before sending a message to the local public back home who’ve been rallying Banyana.
“I really appreciate the support that I get from people and the fact that I love playing football and I enjoy myself there, I guess that’s why they love me,” she said.
“For me, anyone can come [in the final], we’re ready. We just need to work as a team and that’s it. We know it hasn’t been easy, but thank you for your support. It doesn’t go unnoticed, we really, really appreciate it.”
South Africa will face Morocco in the final on Saturday in Rabat with a new winner guaranteed to be crowned on a special evening with kickoff scheduled at 21h00 local time.
