Sasol Banyana Banyana are through to the third round of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games qualifiers after completing a commanding 7-0 aggregate win over Madagascar with a 3-0 second-leg victory at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein on Tuesday, 13 October 2026.
Second-half substitute Ronnel Donnelly struck twice to take her tally to five goals in two matches, following her hat-trick in the first leg. Gabriela Moodaly-Salgado opened the scoring at the start of the second half after a goalless first half.
Playing in front of a vocal home crowd, Banyana Banyana made six changes to the starting line-up, with Thembi Kgatlana captaining the side. South Africa scored seven goals across the two matches without conceding.
“We made six changes, we are happy with the results and on to the next round, but still of work to be done,” said Banyana Banyana head coach Dr Desiree Ellis. “We created chances but didn’t take them because we were not patient enough to get the goals.”
“And when the first one went in more were bound to follow and that’s what happened. We could have scored more as the opportunities were there.”
Banyana Banyana Head Coach, Dr Desiree Ellis
The 2022 African champions will face Angola in the third round in February or March 2027, after Angola beat Namibia 2-0 in the second leg of their tie following a goalless first leg.
While one eye was on Olympic qualification, Banyana Banyana also used the tie to prepare for November’s FIFA Women’s World Cup play-offs in Rabat, Morocco.
“Winning gives you that confidence, keeping a clean sheet has the same effect as well, so these two wins were real morale boosters for us going into some very important games to give us that momentum.”
“We know that we scored goals and we haven’t conceded, so it was a good exercise for us ahead of the FIFA World Cup Play-offs which are around the corner,” added Ellis.
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Banyana Banyana have been drawn against Chinese Taipei, Ecuador and Uzbekistan in the play-offs.
The Madagascar vs. Banyana Banyana CAF Women’s Olympic Qualifiers Round Two at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein
Fri 9 Oct: Madagascar 0-4 Banyana Banyana
Tue 13 Oct: Banyana Banyana 3-0 Madagascar
Banyana Banyana Starting XI
1 Kaylin Swart (GK)
20 Antonia Maponya
4 Lonathemba Mhlongo
13 Khutso Pila
12 Sinegugu Zondi
3 Bongeka Gamede
6 Noxolo Cesane
22 Amogelang Motau
8 Hildah Magaia
9 Gabriela Moodaly-Salgado
11 Thembi Kgatlana (C)
Substitutes
Andile Dlamini (GK)
Kebotseng Moletsane
Fikile Magama
Karabo Dhlamini
Siyamthanda Qashani
Zoe October
Linda Motlhalo
L. Daweti
Ronnel Donnelly
Original Copy: SAFA, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: Banyana Banyana sealed a 7-0 aggregate victory over Madagascar with a 3-0 second-leg win, powered by a Ronnel Donnelly brace and a Gabriela Moodaly-Salgado opener, to book a third-round clash with Angola in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games qualifiers, at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein on Tuesday, 13 October 2026. All Photos: SAFA
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