Former African champions, South Africa, booked their place in the quarterfinals of the CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Burkina Faso in their final Group B fixture on Tuesday evening.
The decisive moment came in the 21st minute when Thembi Kgatlana finished from close range after a well-worked move involving Fikile Magama, securing all three points and confirming Banyana Banyana’s place in the knockout stages.
Burkina Faso made the brighter start and should have taken an early lead when Alimata Belem found herself through on goal. However, the forward hesitated instead of shooting, allowing the South African goalkeeper to recover and gather the ball at her feet.
South Africa gradually settled into the contest and nearly broke the deadlock in the 18th minute. Isabella Ludwig rose well to meet a cross, but her well-directed header drifted narrowly wide of the post.
Three minutes later, Banyana found the breakthrough. Magama’s intelligent delivery picked out Kgatlana, who calmly tapped home from close range to give the former champions the lead.
Kgatlana continued to trouble the Burkina Faso defence and almost doubled South Africa’s advantage in the 30th minute.
After a clever set-piece routine orchestrated by Refilwe Jane, the forward produced an excellent turn inside the area before firing just over the crossbar.
Burkina Faso emerged after the interval determined to find an equaliser and pushed forward in search of a goal that would keep their hopes alive. However, they were repeatedly frustrated by a disciplined and organised South African defence that limited clear-cut opportunities throughout the second half.
Their victory meant that Banyana leapfrogged Tanzania, who lost 2-1 to Côte d’Ivoire in the other Group B match that was played simultaneously.
Côte d’Ivoire sealed the top spot in Group B with goals from Nsira Ouedraogo and Ines Konan before Tanzania pulled one back deep into stoppage time through Diana Msewa’s penalty.-CAF
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