Thembi Kgatlana scored equaliser for Banyana
By Kopano Dibakwane
The first leg of the 2024 CAF Women’s Olympic Qualifier played at the Stade Des Martyrs on Wednesday 25 October between Banyana Banyana and DR Congo ended in a 1-1 draw.
Banyana goal keeper Kaylin Swart was kept on her toes in the opening minutes of the first half when the Congolese team relentlessly attacked the South African outfit in search of an early goal. The Congolese were eventually rewarded for their efforts when Grace Mfwamba scored the opening goal in the 40th minute.
Banyana were visibly shaken after conceding the goal and they had to pull up their socks in order to equalise. This saw Banyana star player Thembi Kgatlana putting pressure on the Congolese defence with a number of great runs, but the game ended 1-0 at half time.
The South African squad came back into the second half with a visibly different approach and they were eventually rewarded in the 48th minute when Kgatlana netted the equaliser from a Nicole Michael cross.
Both teams tried on numerous occasions to add more goals but their efforts were futile as the game ended in a tie.
Banyana coach Desiree Ellis said that her side deserved praises and she was happy with the performance of players, although some struggled to maintain their designated positions.
” We started to make sure that we came away with a positive result away from home and we had a completely new backline. There were two 21 year olds, one 20 year old and one 22 year old, they were playing together for the first time.
” I thought we could have won this game because we had a couple of chances, especially later in the match, but I’m happy with the results,” said Ellis.
The two teams will meet again in the second leg match at Orlando Stadium in Soweto on Monday 30 October. Banyana will go into the game with an added advantage after scoring one goal in the first leg.
