HOME > NEWS > BANYANA BANYANA QUALIFY FOR THE 2012 LONDON OLYMPIC GAMES

Banyana Banyana qualify for the 2012 London Olympic Games

Banyana qualify for the London Olympics

Posted: 2011-09-11 19:21

Banyana Banyana booked their place as one of the two African nations to compete at the 2012 London Olympics when they drew with Ethiopia on Sunday.

South Africa played to a 1-1 draw against Ethiopia in the second leg fixture of their Olympic qualifier on a muddy pitch at the Addis Ababa National Stadium.

The South Africans came into the match with a 3-0 advantage after the first leg at the Orlando Stadium in Soweto on August 27, courtesy of three goals from Noko Matlou.

Playing in front of over 15,000 fans, the Ethiopians took the game to Banyana in the first half, but after a scoreless first 45 minutes, Nompumelelo Nyandeni crossed the ball from the left-hand side in the opening minute of the second period.

Ethiopian goalkeeper Liya Shibru Ossa was made to stretch high to collect the ball, and as she fell to the ground Banyana players protested that the ball had been held over the goal-line.

After consulting with the assistant referee, the goal was awarded to take the visitors’ scoreline to 4-0 over the two matches.

Banyana coach Joseph Mkhonza then made some tactical changes, with Nothando Vilakazi replacing the tough-tackling Yola Jafta in midfield, while Mary Ntsweng was introduced in the centre of the park for captain Amanda Dlamini.

With 12 minutes remaining, Banyana found themselves two players down when Matlou and left-back defender Gabisile 'China' Hlumbane were receiving medical attention off the field. The Ethiopians seized the opportunity against the nine-woman Banyana, and Tibyin Mesfin Tameru fired home a shot from the edge of the penalty box to level the scores on the day.

Matlou, who was closely marked and continuously tackled down into the mud throughout the match, was replaced by Sasol League National Championships Player’s Player of the Tournament, midfielder Sanah Mollo, late in the game.

As the final whistle blew to signify South Africa's qualification for the 2012 Olympics, Banyana put on their 'London Here We Come' T-shirts and ran towards the 150-odd South African supporters in the grandstand, chanting songs of celebration.

"This will be Banyana Banyana’s first appearance at the Olympics since the team came into being in 1993 and the joy on the players' faces is a sign of how much this moment means to them," Mkhonza says.

"We knew it would be tough playing Ethiopia in front of their home crowd, but our sponsor Sasol and Safa must be thanked for their commitment towards giving us a large number of camps and matches in 2011 to prepare for this moment.

"The fact that Banyana Banyana could hold their own in fielding two teams on the same day here in Ethiopia and at the All-Africa Games in Mozambique, is a sign of the depth that has been created in women's football."

In 2011, Banyana Banyana have won 12 and drawn one of the 15 matches played.

Comment on this article:

TERMS OF USE: The comments posted below do not reflect the views of KickOff.com. Users are reminded that no misuse of this comment facility will be tolerated. Any abusive, racist or inflammatory comments will be deleted and the user banned. Please report abusive posts to editor@kickoff.com

Nkabs: 2011-09-11 19:54

Well done Galz, u made all South Africans proud!

Mpho Makhura : 2011-09-11 19:58

Well done ladies proud of you

 : 2011-09-11 19:58

They should teach Zebraz how to plat futbal

ayo : 2011-09-11 20:09

congratulations for your achievement ladies,now safa should rally behind amaglug glug to qualify in egypt tournament in december,mashaba needs a strong squad,..
Gk:keet,pule,b.kuzwayo
def:mxoyana,mampuru,
mathoho,xulu,baloyi,
s.zulu,s.khumalo,shelembe,mpahlele,
midfield:doutie,jali,k.mokotjo,masango,zwane,
,claasen,nkoane,s.vilakazi,maluleka
strikers:ndulula,bengu,
serero,t.motau

this is th team that played in under 20 world cup,there is experience

ayo : 2011-09-11 20:19

u should teach yo men,bafana bafana,how to play in africa,also how to score goals,w r proud of u gals,evn th africa player of th yr is from s.a,noko matlou,u'v opened yoselves opportunities,well done...

S.A Only Goldstar: 2011-09-11 20:25

Well done to the banyana banyana team.go and do us proud in the olympics.To Bobby(chiefs),my advice to you is that in business you must spend money to make money,you lost out big time on Sangweni.i mean the player wanted to play for you but you u said he was too expensive.He has
won me 8million rands in the 5 official games he played for pirates.Its either you are stupid or you dont know alot about soccer,how do you plan to win the league with your mediocre players,no depth in your team,if tshabalala is not on form then its lights out for you,sangweni could have won the match for me last night if it wasnt the lack of luck,he actually did cause your players couldnt penetrate my defence marshalled by him,that is why he won man of the match,invest Mr Motaung,pirates needs real competition,please.

bra aubs : 2011-09-11 23:02

now what colour are those shorts? Is that a new green or gold as classified by puma? Ay this company is fong kong shame.

tau ralebakeng : 2011-09-11 23:37

well done m proud of u.

Mthokozisi Mkhize  : 2011-09-12 06:41

Well done gals indeed u made us proud. I think Pitso must learn sumthin from u that u didn't go there 2 win but u needed only a draw and played 4 a draw and u secured it. Unlike him who went there knowing excactly that he got a depleted team but opted 2 attack those people and cracked, silly Pitso.

SANDILE: 2011-09-12 08:23

Ghana top group after 2-2 Draw
09-11-2011
Facebook Del.icio.us Digg Voisineo
From : (Your email adress)

To : (Your friend email adress)

Subject : Ghana top group after 2-2 Draw
Message :




Zoom Ghana finished top of Group B in the All Africa Games Women’s Tournament, after a 2-2 draw with South Africa at the Maxaquene Stadium in Maputo.

The result ensured both teams advanced to the semifinals. Ghana will take on Algeria on Wednesday, while South Africa will play Cameroon on Tuesday in the last-four match ups.

Ghana came into the game assured of a place in the knockout stages but wanted to make sure they ended top to avoid playing Cameroon, the pre-tournament favourites, in the semis.

But they had no intention of playing for the draw and put pressure on the young Banyana defence in the early stages, with Faiza Ibrahim bringing the best out of Yolula Tsawe in the 7th minute.

After a period of sustained pressure they eventually took the lead when Elizabeth Cudjoe fired in from an acute angle.

South Africa knowing that only a win would ensure their place in the semis fought back and striker Andisiwe Mgcoyi found the back of the net as the Ghana defence backed off her allowing her to shoot from distance.

Ibrahim, a constant thorn in the side of the South African defence was finally rewarded when she gave Ghana the lead in the 56th minute.

But South Africa did not panic and took control of the midfield play. They drew level when Mgcoyi headed in her brace five minutes later.

Both teams seemed to settle for the draw and took their feet of the pedals and played out the rest of the 30 minutes, knowing the point was good enough for a place in the knockout stage.

The other match in Group B also ended 2-2 between Zimbabwe and Tanzania.

South Africa: Tsawe, Mogotlhe, Cele, Khamlana, Mgudu, Skiti, Selepe (Mokhopa 86’), Zulu (Makhanya 80’), Modiko, Esau (Mokoma 60’), Mgcoyi


Ghana: Asantewaa (Mantey 66’) , Egyir, Rosemary, Ibrahim (Aduako 78’), Kobblah, Myles, Cudjoe, Quaye (Addo 46’), Adobea, Atovor, Boakye




Group B standings
Pos Team P W D L GF GA Pts
1. Ghana 3 2 1 0 6 4 7
2. South Africa 3 1 2 0 7 5 5
3. Tanzania 3 0 2 1 5 6 2
4. Zimbabwe 3 0 1 2 4 7 1

Group B Matches
5 Sept South Africa 3 Zimbabwe 1 Maxaquene
5 Sept Tanzania 1 Ghana 2 Machava
8 Sept South Africa 2 Tanzania 2 Machava
8 Sept Zimbabwe 1 Ghana 2 Maxaquene
11 Sept South Africa 2 Ghana 2 Maxaquene
11 Sept Tanzania 2 Zimbabwe 2 Machava

Semifinal Fixtures

13 Sept Cameroon v South Africa Maxaquene
14 Sept Ghana v Algeria Maxaquene

maphuti : 2011-09-12 11:23

The Ladies are making us proud every time the play. SAFA needs to appoint Mkhonza permanently and reward the players as well. They must get bonuses for making it thus far. They are representing the SA ***.

Well done and all the best in the future.