Banyana Banyana got their first win in this year’s COSAFA Women’s Championship after defeating Madagascar 3-1 at Dobsonville Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Striker Tshegofatso Motlogelwa set up in attack for the host, who looked to return to winning ways off their loss to Malawi in the opening game with goalkeeper Kebotseng Moletsane retained.
Banyana made a strong showing and won a penalty when Madagascar goalkeeper Anastasie Soanarivo conceded a foul in the area and left Thubelihle Shamase to fire in from the spot.
The counterparts’ first shot in anger came moments apart in a telling free-kick from a clever distance, but Moletsane wasn’t troubled before Shamase had a speculative overhead kick parried.
With a water-break in sight due to the strong heat, the tempo of the match after the water-break dropped and weren’t as lively as the opening exchanges.
Madagascar used the reduced momentum to their advantage and levelled on 43 minutes as Anjarasoa Velomantsolo beat a few challengers at the far post to head in off Moletsane.
There were a substitution after halftime with Elisa Rasoarimamonjy introduced and Veronique Raharimalala taken off on the side of Madagascar.
South Africa looked to regain the lead minutes later from an attempt at the back-post by Shamase, but the forward went wide of the near corner.
The African champions did though go back in front midway in the second half after Samkelisiwe Selana’s looping attempt crept over Soanarivo and found the net.
Banyana maintained dominant near the last ten minutes and added a third when Selana attacked a floated cross to the back-post to side-foot in for her brace.
As the clocked ticked away, Madasgascar attempted a late comeback but the host nation sat deep, absorbed the pressure and secured their first win in the this year’s tournament.
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