This was Banyana’s last game for the next two months. They will next take to the field on February 19, when they face Tanzania for a place in next year’s Olympics.
South Africa (0) 2
Motlhalo (pen) 55, Michael 85’
Burkina Faso (0) 0
Result: Banyana win qualifier 3-1 on aggregate
Banyana Banyana outclassed Burkina Faso on Monday to book their place at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) in Morocco.
Midfielder Linda Mothlalo and second-half substitute Nicole Michael scored the goals as the defending champions dispatched the Stallions to seal their place in the next continental showpiece.
Banyana head coach Desiree Ellis made two notable changes to her starting XI from the first leg as goalkeeper Kaylin Swart returned between the sticks, while Jermaine Seoposenwe also started.
Captain of the day Janine van Wyk confirmed her status as the most capped African footballer of all time as she received her 185th cap, trotting around for seven minutes before being replaced by Lebohang Ramalepe.
Full-time.
South Africa 🇿🇦2️⃣➖0️⃣🇧🇫Burkina
Faso
Aggregate (🇿🇦3-1🇧🇫)Banyana Banyana qualifies for the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. pic.twitter.com/kwnhEgF3z8
— Banyana_Banyana (@Banyana_Banyana) December 4, 2023
Although they came into this game with a vital away goal, Banyana did not rest on their laurels as they dominated proceedings from the get-go and applied pressure.
The hosts nearly broke the deadlock in the 18th minute through an unfamiliar source as Mamelodi Sundowns left back Karabo Dhlamini’s devilish cross was headed straight for the goal but the goalkeeper did well to backtrack and palm her effort onto the bar and out.
Five minutes later the visitors created their first chance of the match through a counter-attack but Swart came up tops when faced with the striker one-on-one and snatched the ball from her feet.
The scorching heat did not seem to trouble both sides in the opening half but the hosts were left frustrated and resorted to shooting from distance.
The usually menacing trio of Thembi Kgatlana, Hildah Magaia and Seoposenwe walked off the pitch in deep conversation at the half-time break, looking to find solutions to break down a resolute Burkina Faso.
It was clear that Ellis was prepared to go for the juggernaut as she introduced winger Michael for centre back Lonathemba Mhlongo at half-time.
That change reaped immediate rewards as Michael and Ramalepe combined to win a penalty for Banyana in the 55th minute, which was coolly converted by star midfielder Motlhalo. Banyana slowed the tempo of the game to maintain control, which allowed mistakes to creep into their game and gave Burkina Faso confidence.
However, the home side kept creating chances without reply.
Looking to close out the match and avoid any mistakes, Ellis threw on Sundowns defensive midfielder Kholosa Biyana for Seoposenwe, who had run herself into the ground.
With five minutes to go, Michael announced herself to the nation as she doubled Banyana’s lead and effectively put an end to the match as a contest as she slotted her low shot past the goalkeeper, having been played through by Biyana.
This was Banyana’s last game for the next two months. They will next take to the field on February 19, when they face Tanzania for a place in next year’s Olympics.
