Banyana Banyana capped off 2025 with an emphatic 2-0 victory over Morocco in an international friendly at Stade D’Agadir on Tuesday night courtesy of Nonhlanhla Mthandi and Noxolo Cesane’s second half goals.
Banyana coach Dr Desiree Ellis made three changes from the side that defeated Dr Congo in the WAFCON qualifier starting Mthandi, Amogelang Motau and Fikile Magama in the absence of Thembi Kgatlana, Hilda Magaia and Lebohang Ramalepe.
South Africa with Nthabiseng Majiya led attack but could not connect in the first half trying to get the ball in the box.
Unfortunately, they also lost captain Refiloe Jane to injury with Jessica Wade coming on as her replacement in the 29th minute. Meanwhile the hosts who had some half chances but were let down by their final touches that were easy saves for Andile Dlamini.
The game was locked at 0-0 at the break and both teams returned from the second stanza unchanged. It took six minutes for Banyana to threaten the Moroccan goalkeeper with a good build up between Motau, Cesane and Karabo Dhlamini with Dhlamini’s final touch going just over the bar.
The hosts responded just after the hour mark with Ouzraoui Sakina setting up Saoud Imane but the latter’ short went off target.
In the 70th minute, Dhlamini set-up Mthandi who broke the deadlock with a powerful strike putting Banyana in the lead. The dying minutes of the game were characterised by the Moroccan’s attempts to get an equaliser however couldn’t penetrate the South African defence.
Just five minutes left on the clock, Cesane doubled Banyana’s lead by making it 2-0 as South Africa claim the important win as part of preparations for next year’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
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