Banyana Banyana came back from a goal down to force a 1-1 draw against Tanzania in their second CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations clash in Group C on Friday evening.
Coach Desiree Ellis made four changes from the win over Ghana, as goalkeeper Kaylin Swart, Lonathemba Mhlongo, Sibulele Holweni, and Kgalebane Mohlakoana were all handed starts.
Mhlongo displayed a stern approach five minutes on the clock and pulled off a last-ditch goal-line clearance to deny Opah Clement profiting off the head.
Banyana were eventually sliced open midway in the first half as Clement rose high in the area to meet a free-kick and head into the bottom-corner.
The defending champions came into their own after a pretty slow start and got a decent chance through a long-range shot from Jermaine Seoposenwe, but it was parried by the Tanzanian goalkeeper.
More opportunities followed as the half began to draw to a close, but the Tanzanian outfit maintained their momentum to go the break leading.
Banyana made a double substitution ahead of the second period after Lebohang Ramalepe replaced Mohlakoana while Hildah Magaia came on for Noxolo Cesane.
The reigning champions kept probing minutes later and worked a set-play through a penetrative effort from Fikile Magama.
From the subsequent delivery, the equaliser came when poor defending at the back allowed Bambanani Mbane to sneak in and finish from close-range.
Tanzania were reduced to ten players eight minutes from time as Winfrida Gerald saw red for dangerous play on Linda Motlhalo.
As the match headed to a close, both nations went at each other in search of the winner but neither could find the goal, as the encounter ended all square.
Image: @CAFwomen
