Banyana Banyana on their way to the Olympics [Archive]

cr@zydude

27-08-2011, 09:01 PM

I doubt that too many people in here follow women's football, but our women's team is on the verge of Olympic qualification. The team is in the final two-legged tie to advance to the 2012 Olympics, and they beat Ethiopia 3-0 at Orlando Stadium today. On 11 September they play the return leg in Ethiopia. As long as we don't lose by more than 3 goals, the team is through to London. This will be the team's first Olympic qualification, and a great achievement.

Their is also a second string team going to the All Africa games. This is due to a fixture clash with the Olympic qualifier. The AAG team plays on 5, 8 and 11 September, all in Maputo, Mozambique.

cr@zydude

12-09-2011, 07:26 AM

Here's the match report:

Banyana Banyana booked their place as one of the two African nations to compete at the 2012 London Olympics when they drew with Ethiopia on Sunday.

South Africa played to a 1-1 draw against Ethiopia in the second leg fixture of their Olympic qualifier on a muddy pitch at the Addis Ababa National Stadium.

The South Africans came into the match with a 3-0 advantage after the first leg at the Orlando Stadium in Soweto on August 27, courtesy of three goals from Noko Matlou.

Playing in front of over 15,000 fans, the Ethiopians took the game to Banyana in the first half, but after a scoreless first 45 minutes, Nompumelelo Nyandeni crossed the ball from the left-hand side in the opening minute of the second period.

Ethiopian goalkeeper Liya Shibru Ossa was made to stretch high to collect the ball, and as she fell to the ground Banyana players protested that the ball had been held over the goal-line.

After consulting with the assistant referee, the goal was awarded to take the visitors’ scoreline to 4-0 over the two matches.

Banyana coach Joseph Mkhonza then made some tactical changes, with Nothando Vilakazi replacing the tough-tackling Yola Jafta in midfield, while Mary Ntsweng was introduced in the centre of the park for captain Amanda Dlamini.

With 12 minutes remaining, Banyana found themselves two players down when Matlou and left-back defender Gabisile 'China' Hlumbane were receiving medical attention off the field. The Ethiopians seized the opportunity against the nine-woman Banyana, and Tibyin Mesfin Tameru fired home a shot from the edge of the penalty box to level the scores on the day.

Matlou, who was closely marked and continuously tackled down into the mud throughout the match, was replaced by Sasol League National Championships Player’s Player of the Tournament, midfielder Sanah Mollo, late in the game.

As the final whistle blew to signify South Africa's qualification for the 2012 Olympics, Banyana put on their 'London Here We Come' T-shirts and ran towards the 150-odd South African supporters in the grandstand, chanting songs of celebration.

"This will be Banyana Banyana’s first appearance at the Olympics since the team came into being in 1993 and the joy on the players' faces is a sign of how much this moment means to them," Mkhonza says.

"We knew it would be tough playing Ethiopia in front of their home crowd, but our sponsor Sasol and Safa must be thanked for their commitment towards giving us a large number of camps and matches in 2011 to prepare for this moment.

"The fact that Banyana Banyana could hold their own in fielding two teams on the same day here in Ethiopia and at the All-Africa Games in Mozambique, is a sign of the depth that has been created in women's football."

In 2011, Banyana Banyana have won 12 and drawn one of the 15 matches played.

Kickoff (http://www.kickoff.com/news/24198/banyana-banyana-qualify-for-the-2012-london-olympic-games.php)