Banyana-Banyana lost 4-3 to Malawi in their opening match of the 2023 Hollywoodbets COSAFA Women’s Championship in Pretoria on Wednesday.
South Africa were on the back foot in the opening minutes of the match but protected their goal area well from Temwa Chawinga who missed chances to put her side ahead early in the first half.
Kobotseng Moletsane had done well until she spilled the ball in the 27th minute where Leticia Chinyamula took advantage of the mistake and handed Malawi the lead. Banyana however found the equaliser in the 44th minute through Thubelihle Shamase who was assisted by her twin sister Siphumelele. Desiree Ellis charges were then caught napping in injury time of the opening stanza which saw Chawinga burry the chance to regain the lead for Lovemore Fazili’s side into the break. Chawinga completed a hattrick scoring in the 64th and 77th minutes the second goal from another defensive error by the South African keeper.
In the second half Ellis introduced Tshogofatso Motlogelwa for Ntombifikile Ndlovu. Four minutes into the half South Africa won a set-piece. Thalea Smidt stepped up and missed the top corner by an inch as they contented to search for an equaliser. Thubelishle could have completed a brace in the 57th minute but her shot to level went wide. Khensai Nkuna scored Banyana’s second, while Sphumelele Shamase scored SA’s third in stoppage time, but they were mere consolation.
Banyana’s next group match is against Madagascar on Saturday 7 October at the Dobsonville stadium at 12:00 and they wrap up their group campaign against Eswatini on Tuesday 10 October at the same venue (15:30).
Source Link Banyana Lose 2023 COSAFA Championship Opener
