Goals by Leandra Smeda and Disebo Mametja ensured a hard-fought win by the South African Senior National Women’s team over Namibia in an international friendly match played on Saturday, 5 July, at the Sam Nujoma Stadium in Windhoek.
Banyana Banyana’s 2-1 win was due to University players Smeda (Western Cape) and Mametja (University of Johannesburg), enough to hand the SASOL-sponsored Women’s National team the victory.
Thomalina Adams pulled one back for the home side.
Coach Vera Pauw made two changes from the team that beat Botswana 4–0 last month. Noko Matlou returned to the starting eleven and played alongside captain Janine van Wyk in defence, while Disebo Mametja started her first match under Pauw on the right flank.
The Namibians were the first to threaten, getting the first shot at goal in the seventh minute, but the ball went just inches wide off Tokozile Mndaweni’s goals.
SASOL Banyana Banyana took almost half an hour to find their feet, but once settled, Smeda found the back of the net in the 29th minute when Banyana Banyana played a well-coordinated set piece from outside the box.
Refiloe Jane had an opportunity to extend the lead for South Africa just before the halftime break. She connected well with the ball inside the box, but her effort went wide off the goal post.
Mametja doubled the score for Banyana Banyana in the 60th minute with an easy tap in.
Namibia pulled one back with 15 minutes of play remaining after a defensive error from Banyana Banyana. The match ended 2-1 in favour of the visitors.
“The ladies know what is expected of them now. The hard work that we have been putting in is starting to show. It was a tough game, Namibia has improved a lot, they are physical, but we managed to contain them,” said Pauw.
Sasol Banyana Banyana will continue with preparations for the African Women’s Championships which are schedule for Namibia from the 11–25 October this year.
Photo caption: The SASOL Banyana Banyana starting 11, who secured a 2-1 away win in their CAF African Women’s Championship 2014 warm-up international friendly, against the upcoming tournament hosts Namibia in Windhoek, on Saturday, 7 July, 2014. Photo: Banyana Banyana on Facebook
(With editing by gsport)
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