Soccer
Banyana put Three Lionesses to test─── MORGAN PIEK 07:51 Wed, 30 Oct 2024
Banyana Banyana turned in a much better performance on Tuesday night as they lost to England in their international friendly played in Coventry.
On Tuesday night the world’s second-ranked England beat South Africa 2-1 in front of 24,000 spectators at the Coventry Building Society Arena.
England got off to a flying start against South Africa with Leah Williamson opening the scoring for the Three Lionesses in the 12th minute, and just nine minutes later, Grace Clinton doubled the lead.
’Kgatlana showed blistering speed to cut through the English defence‘
The experienced Thembi Kgatlana, who was the captain for South Africa, pulled one back for Banyana 10 minutes into the second half, and the score remained unchanged. Kgatlana collected an intercept and showed blistering speed to cut through the English defence before steering the ball into the back of the net.
Kgatlana certainly left the legendary England coach, Sarina Wiegman, impressed.
Following their 5-0 defeat to the 12th-ranked Denmark in Aalborg it was a much better performance by the Champions of Africa.
?? Thembi Kgatlana's goal against England
— Banyana_Banyana (@Banyana_Banyana) October 29, 2024
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The coach, Desiree Ellis, said in the match against England they managed to rectify a lot of the mistakes they made against the Danes and feels the game could have gone either way in Coventry.
“There were a lot of things we didn’t do well in the match against Denmark that we rectified against England,” said Ellis.
“We were well organised in defence and believe that we created a lot of chances. This match could have gone either way and we are extremely proud of our players because they matched England.
‘Yes, we have areas to work on’
“We are preparing for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in 2025 and are on the right track.
“Yes, we have areas to work on and we are doing so by playing matches such as these two against England and Denmark.”
Banyana will head back now on Wednesday and regroup in November to prepare for their trip to the Caribbean where they will face Jamaica in back-to-back games during the next FIFA international break.
