The Sasol-sponsored South African Senior Women’s National Team were beaten 5-0 by Denmark in an international friendly match played at Aalborgh Stadium on Friday night, 25 October 2024.
It was a game of two different halves which saw the African champions compete gamely against the Red and White and hold their own defensively as the Danish were on the attack from the first whistle in the first half, taking a nil-all tally into the half-time break.
“We had a plan and unfortunately it broke down in the second half. We did very well in the first half, our defense stayed compact, the players took the blows dealt to them by Denmark and we tried to go forward a little.”
Banyana Banyana Head Coach, Dr Desiree Ellis
Things changed in the second half when South African’s earlier defences crumbled after Danish halftime substitutions and the wet and cold conditions, which saw the South Africans lose concentration and go on to concede three goals in less than 10 minutes.
Isabella Obaze opened the scoring for the home side in the 51st minute of the match, while Signe Brunn secured a brace from the bench in the 55th and 56th minutes respectively.
Amalie Vangsgaard scored in the 63rd minutes and the final blow and fifth of the night came from Katherine Kuhl, who netted in the 74th minute.
Speaking to www.safa.net, Head Coach Dr Desiree Ellis was proud of her players and detailed the importance of an experience like this one.
“The second half was rather tough for the players, and to keep up with a team ranked 12th in the world was always going to be a challenge,” said Ellis. “But I believe the players gave their all today, we made substitutions which we hoped would be effective, but the strength of the Danish showed.”
“We will now go back and watch the match again, see where we faulted the most and prepare for our match against England. Remember we are on a journey to WAFCON, and we are happy that we are facing the challenges we will come across in 2025. So, these matches are to prepare our players for 2025.
“I would also like to congratulate Kholoso Biyana on her 50th cap tonight, this is a huge milestone for her, and we hope she will continue riding this journey with us.”
Banyana Banyana will now turn their attention to their second match in Europe. They will travelled to Coventry, England, on Saturday, and their final match will be played on Tuesday, 29 October 2024.
Results and Fixtures of Banyana Banyana’s European Friendlies Tour
Friday 25 October 2024: Denmark 5-0 Banyana Banyana (Aalborgh Stadium)
Tuesday 29 October 2024: 21h45 (SA Time) England vs Banyana Banyana (Coventry Building Society Arena)
The Banyana Banyana Starting XI vs Denmark
1 Kaylin Swart (GK)
2. Lebohang Ramalepe (C)
5. Fikile Magama
6. Noxolo Cesane
7. Karabo Dhlamini
13. Bambanani Mbane
15. Thubelihle Shamase
17. Tisetso Makhubela
19. Kholosa Biyana
22. Amogelang Motau
23. Ntabiseng Majiya
Bench
16 Andile Dlamini
21 Dineo Magagula
3. Nondumiso Manengela
4. Lonathemba Mhlongo
9. Sphumele Shamase
14. Nonhlanhla Mthandi
18. Sibulele Holweni
20. Nicole Michael
Main Photo Caption: African champions Banyana Banyana take on the “Red and White” of Denmark in the first-ever international match between the two countries at the Aalborg Stadium in Aalborg, Denmark, at 6pm on Friday, 25 October, 2024. All Photos: Supplied
Photo 2 Caption: Kholosa Biyana was proud to earn her 50th cap in national colours against the White and Red of Denmark. Photo: Supplied
Photo 3 Caption: The South African defence held in the first half, and the visitors took the nil-all stalemate into the half-time break. Photo: Supplied
Photo 4 Caption: Things changed in the second half when SA’s earlier defences crumbled after Danish halftime substitutions and the wet and cold conditions. Photo: Supplied
Photo 5 Caption: The South Africans lost concentration and went on to concede three goals in less than 10 minutes after the floodgates burst open. Photo: Supplied
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