South African women's team Banyana Banyana beat Cepe Caxias in Brazil
Banyana beat Cepe Caxias in Brazil
Posted: 2012-02-15 12:02
Banyana Banyana got their South American campaign off to a winning start with a 1-0 win over Brazil club Cepe Caxias.
The match was played in baking heat yesterday at the Xerem Duque de Caxias Stadium in Rio de Janeiro.
Banyana Banyana captain Amanda Dlamini scored the solitary goal in the 77th minute.
The skipper tapped the ball home after receiving a superbly played diagonal pass from substitute Memory Makhanya on the right.
Striker Sanah Mollo of Bloemfontein Celtic in the Free State Sasol League, started up front alongside tall Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies (Gauteng Sasol League) goal-getter Andisiwe Mgcoyi, with Leandra Smeda, Mary Ntsweng, Nondyebo Mgudu and Dlamini controlling matters in midfield.
Gabisile Hlumbane and Zamandosi Cele played in the defensive fullback positions with the ever consistent central defensive pair of Janine van Wyk and Amanda Sister, dominant in front of their goalkeeper Thoko Mndaweni.
The Sasol-sponsored senior women's national team had enough opportunities to score more goals to clinch the victory much early in the game, but head coach Joseph Mkhonza is happy with the attacking elements of Banyana Banyana’s performance.
“We spent a lot of time focusing on our attacking play during the three week camp held in Stellenbosch in January and it’s paying off, judging by the short passes into space produced by our players in the final third of the field,” said Mkhonza.
“This three-match South American tour is the perfect build up to playing at the 12-nation Cyprus Women’s Cup from 28 February to 6 March and we need to commend everyone for creating these opportunities for our country’s top female footballers ahead of our participation at the 2012 London Olympics.”
Banyana Banyana will continue training at Brazil’s national football training centre, Granja Comary, 100km outside Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, before facing a Navy Select team on Saturday (18 February) in their second fixture of the tour.
: 2012-02-15 20:54
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