South Africa are on the verge of booking their ticket to the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco 2022 after defeating Algeria 2-0 in the first leg, last round match at Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg on Friday.
South Africa cruised past Mozambique in the first round with a 13-0 aggregate win, while Algeria eased past Sudan in a 14-0 first leg triumph before observing a walkover after second leg cancellation to reach the second round last October.
The Fennecs started the match on a high constantly breaking through the Banyana defence but only for their efforts not to lend on target. Imene Merrouche’s third-minute chance was the only convincing chance at goal for Algeria in the first half.
AC Milan’s Refiloe Jane had a chance to give the home side a lead only to shoot wide and Sibulele Holweni followed with hers three minutes late only for her to suffer the same fate.
Banyana Banyana continued to use their home ground advantage to knock until the 40th minute in which Hilda Magaia opened the scoring from a corner kick taken by Kholosa Biyana.
The five-time African vice-champions came back stronger in the second half to torment their visitors as Thembi Kgatlana, Magaia, Linda Motlhalo and Nomvula Kgoale all attempted to extend the lead.
Spain based Kgatlana finally put her name on the score sheet on the 89th minute to give South Africa a two-goal cushion.
Ikram Adjaji was the only player who attempted to put Fennecs on the score sheet in the second half however Bambanani Mbane was able to save to keep the hosts in the game.
With the first leg lead, the South Africans will head to Algiers with the hope of guaranteeing the ticket in the second leg on 23 February, while the Algerians will look to turn the table around.
credit:CAF
