A youthful Banyana Banyana began their 2022 Cosafa Cup campaign on a winning note as they beat Angola 3-0 at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Wednesday afternoon.
Simphiwe Dludlu is leading the team in the absence of Desiree Ellis, who will be in charge of the ‘main’ Banyana team when they take on Brazil this week in international friendlies.
Banyana really should have taken the lead in the tenth minute, but some last-gasp defending blocked a bevy of shots before Jamie-Leigh Witbooi shot wide.
Busisiwe Ndimeni shot wide in the 15th minute, as Banyana continued to dominate the game, and causing problems for the Angolans. Refilwe Maseko shot just over moments later after another good attack.
Finally, the goal was scored, Maseko getting on the score-sheet in the 21st minute, her first touch lobbing over the advancing goalkeeper.
Banyana continued to threaten and Ndimeni went close again just past the half-hour mark, but the TUT striker’s shot was saved by Kananga in the Angolan goal.
It was 2-0 in the 35th minute, Sphumelele Shamase finishing well from the left with a composed shot.
Leading by the two at the break, Banyana continued to threaten in the second half. They should’ve perhaps should’ve been awarded a penalty just after the hour mark, but the referee awarded a free kick as Ndimeni was brought down on the edge of the area.
While chances for the Angolans were rare, they did go close in the 66th minute, but defender Sharol Ramaoka was in the right place to clear off the line.
Another chance fell to South Africans in the 73rd minute, but Kananga made a good save to deny the lively Lithemba Sam.
Sam finally added the third in the 89th minute, to wrap up the result. Banyana will be back in action on Saturday when they take on Mauritius, before wrapping up Group A next week against Mozambique. Mozambique beat Mauritius 5-0 in the earlier game on Wednesday.
