Bafana Bafana captain Itumeleng Khune was on hand to witness the South African Women’s National team, Sasol Banyana Banyana, comfortably beat Namibia 2-0 in an international friendly match on Sunday, 10 August, 2014, at the Dobsonville Stadium.
Prior to the start of the match, Khune tweeted his support for Banyana Banyana captain Janine van Wyk, who was playing in her 100th match. Veteran striker Portia Modise was celebrating her 110th appearance for South Africa.
This was the second meeting between Banyana Banyana and the Brave Warriors in the space of a month. Sasol Banyana Banyana won 2-1 in Namibia last month.
Banyana Banyana took the lead early in the first half as Amanda Dlamini slotted home a well-executed goal three minutes into the game. She took advantage of an interception from just outside the box, putting through the opening goal of the match.
Sasol Banyana Banyana enjoyed most of the ball possession in the first half, forcing the Namibian goalkeeper to make a save in the 35th minute. Nothando Vilakazi’s shot from just outside the box hit the cross-bar in the 39th minute.
The tempo of the match started a bit slow in the second half.
Leandra Smeda extended Sasol Banyana Banyana’s lead in the second half after Portia Modise beat the keeper before playing a pass to Smeda, who was unmarked inside the box.
Coach Vera Pauw gave debutant Thembi Kgatlane from the High Performance Centre a run in the match.
Sasol Banyana Banyana continued pilling pressure on the Brave Warriors in the bid to get more goals, but the match ended with the score line at 2-0.
Banyana Banyana are preparing for the 9th edition of the African Women’s Championship which will be hosted in Namibia from 11-25 October. They will continue playing international friendly matches in August ahead of the tournament.
Sasol Banyana Banyana’s African Women’s Champs Camp Call-up List: Goalkeepers: Andile Dlamini (Mamelodi Sundowns) Johannesburg Thoko Mndaweni (Croesus FC) Johannesburg Ntshetsana Mputle (Titans Ladies) Rustenburg Defenders: Nothando Vilakazi (Palace Super Falcons) Johannesburg Amanda Sister (Liverpool Ladies) Port Elizabeth Janine van Wyk (JVW FC) Johannesburg Letago Madiba (TUT Ladies) Pretoria Nomathemba Ntsibande (Springs Home Sweepers) Johannesburg Lebogang Mabatle (TUKS Ladies) Pretoria Simphiwe Dludlu (TUKS Ladies FC) Pretoria Nelisiwe Mchunu (JVW FC) Johannesburg Noko Matlou (Maindis FC) Polokwane Lebogang Ramalepe (Maindis FC) Polokwane Gloria Thato (TUKS Ladies) Pretoria Midfielders: Amanda Dlamini (University of Johannesburg) Johannesburg Alochia Thoboka (Mamelodi Sundowns) Johannesburg Sanah Mollo (Mamelodi Sundowns FC) Pretoria Tina Selepe (Palace Super Falcons FC) Johannesburg Leandra Smeda (UWC Ladies) Cape Town Refiloe Jane (VUT Ladies) Johannesburg Mamello Makhabane (Palace Super Falcons) Johannesburg Nompumelelo Nyandeni (FC Rossiyanka) Russia Disebo Mametja (University of Johannesburg) Johannesburg Forwards/ Strikers: Shiwe Nogwanya (Bloemfontein Celtics Ladies) Bloemfontein Silindile Ngubane (Durban Ladies FC) Pietermaritzburg Ode Fulutudilu (Lee University FC) USA Chantelle Essau (Palace Super Falcons) Johannesburg Portia Modise (Creosus FC) Johannesburg Martha Mokoma (Palace Super Falcons) Johannesburg Nandipha Booi (Cape Town Roses) Cape Town Thembi Kgatlane (High Performance Centre) Pretoria
Photo 1 caption: Dignatories and celebreties galore were on hand to congratulate Banyana Banyana on their second straight win, in international friendlies against neighbour Namibia, at the Dobsonville Stadium on Sunday, 10 August, 2014. Photo: Banyana Banyana on Facebook
Photo 2 caption: SA Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula and SASOL sponsorship specialist Dumi Mbokane smile with Banyana Banyana captain Janine van Wyk, who played her 100th match in national colours, and veteran striker Portia Modise, who earned her 110th cap for Banyana Banyana. Photo: Banyana Banyana on Facebook
(With editing by gsport)