Noxolo Cesane was the star of the show as Banyana Banyana opened their Turkish Women’s cup campaign with a 3-0 win over Uzbekistan at the Emirhan sport complex in Turkey on Saturday.
Cesane was involved in the creation of the first and second goals while scoring herself in the process.
In the 11th minute she found Linda Motlhalo who hit the woodwork but Jermaine Seoposenwe finished it to hand the African champions the lead. It was Cesane again who passed to Seoposenwe who crossed to Hilda Magaia who doubled Banyana’s lead two minutes later.
The Limpopo born striker could have made it 3-0 in the 17th minute from another Cesane assist but the attempt wasn’t strong enough. In the 25th minute Maigai’s effort looked wide but the Tigres Feminil player was close by to score Banyana’s third a lead they took to the break.
While Banyana continued to dominate proceedings after half-time, the Uzbeks defended bravely and kept the South Africans out.
At the end of 90 minutes, it was a comfortable 3-0 victory for Desiree Ellis’ team.
Banyana’s next fixture is on the 21st against Slovenia. They were meant to play against hosts Turkey, and Venezuela, but Venezuela, Turkey and Jordan withdrew.
