The South African Senior Women’s National Team Banyana Banyana went down 2-0 to Mexico in the opening match of the Cyprus Women’s Cup, at the Paralimni Stadium on Wednesday, 4 March.
(Click here to visit the tournament website online)
Second half goals from Charlyn Corral and Stephany Mayor ensured victory for Mexico.
Although Mexico enjoyed most of the ball possession in the first stanza, the SASOL-sponsored Banyana Banyana held their own as they did not allow the Mexicans to bully them.
This was the South Africans’ first match in 2015. They last played in October in the CAF African Women’s Championship in Namibia, but they did not show any rustiness.
Mexico got their first goal scoring opportunity in the 8th minute, but Corral’s volley went over Roxanne Barker’s goals.
Vera Pauw’s charges got a break through in the 16th minute after Sanah Mollo paced down the flank, but her cross found only the Mexican players in the box.
Mollo got another chance on the half-hour mark, she released a great shot from the edge of the box, but the Mexican keeper, Cecilia Santiago, was well alert to make a save.
Barker made a comfortable save from Mexico’s set-piece from just outside the box eight minutes later.
The match went into the break with both teams deadlocked at 0-0.
Mexico put Banyana Banyana under more pressure at the start of the second half, as they took the lead in the 53rd minute. Pauw’s charges lost possession from a throw-in close to the box, this gave Corral an opportunity to take a shot from the edge of the box, past Barker.
Five minutes later, Mollo was brought down in the box after she managed to go past the Mexican central defenders, but the referee waived play on, denying South Africa a penalty that could have perhaps brought them back into the match.
As a result of that challenge on Mollo, she could not continue with the match. Jermaine Seoposenwe came on in her place – her first match for Banyana Banyana after a lay-off from injury.
Refiloe Jane also got a chance at goal in the 68th minute, but her effort was easily managed by the Mexican keeper.
Seconds later, Mayor extended Mexico’s lead from a long shot.
Leandra Smeda came close to scoring for South Africa, but her well received cross from Shiwe Nogwanya was also saved by the keeper – and the match ended 2-0 in favour of the South American ladies.
Banyana Banyana face Belgium in their second match of Group C, scheduled for 14h30 on Friday, 6 March, at the Paralimni Stadium.
Tournament Fixtures and Results:
Wednesday 4 March
14.30 Republic of Korea 1-2 Italy (GSP Nicosia)
17.30 Scotland 0-2 Canada (GSP Nicosia)
14.30 Finland 1-3 England (GSZ Larnaca)
17.30 Netherlands 0-1 Australia (GSZ Larnaca)
14.30 Mexico 2-0 South Africa (Tasos Marko, Paralimni)
17.30 Czech Republic 2-2 Belgium (Tasos Marko, Paralimni)
Friday 6 March
14.30 Canada – Republic of Korea (GSZ Larnaca)
17.30 Italy – Scotland (GSZ Larnaca)
14.30 Finland – Netherlands (GSP Nicosia)
17.30 Australia – England (GSP Nicosia)
14.30 Belgium – South Africa (Tasos Marko, Paralimni)
17.30 Czech Republic – Mexico (Tasos Marko, Paralimni)
Monday 9 March
14.30 Italy – Canada (GSP Nicosia)
14.30 Scotland – Republic of Korea (GSZ Larnaca)
17.30 Netherlands – England (GSP Nicosia)
17.30 Australia – Finland (GSZ Larnaca)
14.30 South Africa – Czech Republic (Tasos Marko, Paralimni)
17.30 Mexico – Belgium (Tasos Marko, Paralimni)
SASOL Banyana Banyana Starting XI vs Mexico:
1-Roxanne Barker (GK)
2-Lebogang Ramalepe
3-Nothando Vilakazi
4-Noko Matlou
5-Janine Van Wyk (C)
9-Amanda Dlamini
18-Nompumelelo Nyandeni
15-Refiloe Jane
17-Leandra Smeda
14-Sanah Mollo
12-Portia Modise
Subs:
23- Mputle Ntshetsana (GK)
22-Lerato Kgasago
13-Tshepiso Olga Mokabane
7-Kelso Peskin
8- Alochia Thobokela
10-Slindile Ngubane
11-Jermaine Seoposenwe
20-Shiwe Nogwanya
21-Rhoda Mulaudzi
19-Disebo Mametja
SASOL Banyana Banyana Squad:
Goalkeepers:
Roxanne Barker
Andile Dlamini
Mputle Ntshetsana
Defenders:
Nothando Vilakazi
Janine van Wyk
Noko Matlou
Lebogang Ramalepe
Tshepiso Olga Mokabane
Lerato Kgasago
Midfielders:
Amanda Dlamini
Alochia Thobokela
Leandra Smeda
Refiloe Jane
Mamello Makhabane
Nompumelelo Nyandeni
Silindile Ngubane
Kelso Peskin
Forwards/Strikers:
Jermaine Seoposenwe
Portia Modise
Sanah Mollo
Shiwe Nogwanya
Rhoda Mulaudzi
Disebo Mametja
Photo 1 caption: SASOL Banyana Banyana suffered a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Mexico in their first fixture at the Cyprus Women’s Cup 2015 on Wednesday, 4 March. In this photo shortly before the match, Mexico (left) and Banyana Banyana show respect to their national anthems, at the GSP Nicosia Stadium. Photo: Banyana Banyana on Facebook.
(With editing by gsport)
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