Reigning champions Banyana Banyana made a positive start to the CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations with a 2-0 win over Ghana on Monday evening.
Jermaine Seoposenwe and Linda Motlhalo started in the attack fo the South Africans while Noxolo Cesane notched up her 50th cap.
The defending champions were ahead around the half-hour mark when a foul on Cesane led to a penalty after a review by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), allowing Motlhalo to convert the spot-kick.
It was 2-0 in the space of five minutes as Seoposenwe beat the offside trap following a run in-behind the defence and applied a composed low finish at the near post.
Banyana were slightly on the back-foot before the break and needed reflexes from goalkeeper Andile Dlamini to parry a shot from Grace Asantewaa behind for a corner-kick.
Seopsenwe should have added a third goal a few minutes into the second half with a one-on-one after bearing down on goal, but unfortunately she slammed straight at goalkeeper Cynthia Konlan.
Ghana were not overawed though and almost halved the deficit when a long-range drive from Alice Kusi clattered off the top of the woodwork.
Ellis looked to the substitutes bench inside the closing minutes and removed Amogelang Motau to bring on Regina Mogolola.
The West Africans closed-in again ten minutes to the end where a header from close-range by Princella Adubea struck the underside of the crossbar with Dlamini off her line.
Banyana slowed down the momentum just ahead of the full-time whistle to see out the latter stages and claim the win.
Image via @CAFwomen
Confirmed line-up:
South Africa: Dlamini, Ramalepe, Makhubela, Mbane, Dhlamini, Jane, Magama, Motau, Motlhalo, Seoposenwe.
Subs: Magaia, Donneley, Mthandi, Mohlakoana, Holweni, Mogolola, Salgado, Mhlongo, Swart, Magagula.
