By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Jermaine Seoposenwe scored early to set Banyana Banyana on their way to a second successive Women’s World Cup as they edged Tunisia 1-0 in Rabat on Thursday, but they made it hard for themselves with a wasteful display.
Victory in the quarterfinals of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Morocco means South Africa are guaranteed a top four finish at the continental championship, which serves as qualifying competition for next year’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
Morocco, Nigeria and Zambia are the other countries who will also be heading Down Under next July.
South Africa made their maiden World Cup final appearance in France in 2019 and were heavily fancied to advance again, especially after winning all three of their opening group game at Wafcon, including beating defending champions Nigeria in Rabat last week.
Tunisia were underdogs, lacking experience at this level with this being only their second-ever appearance at the Cup of Nations.
They did prove a gritty opponent and handed South Africa some scary moments, but the result should have been more emphatic for wasteful Banyana.
The outcome was effectively settled when Seoposenwe ran onto a defence-splitting ball and kept her nerve as she calmly slotted the ball past the Tunisian goalkeeper.
Seoposenwe was a constant menace, but her attacking partner Nxolo Cesane got caught offside when she was presented with a good opportunity and when she did find herself in with a chance blasted wide over the top with a yawning goal at her mercy.
South Africa next meet Zambia on Monday in their Wafcon semifinal, followed by Nigeria against hosts Morocco.
Failure to add a second goal meant some nervy moments for South Africa with Tunisia denied a late penalty claim in stoppage time at the end of the game.
Banyana Banyana head coach Desiree Ellis Post-Match interview
“The squad we selected was versatile. Each one fights for one another. The technical staff is fantastic. Credit must go to all of them. This victory is for everyone back home.”
“The situation back home is not good. There is a lot of loadshedding and some of them might not have seen the game so this victory is for 53 million people out there. We received so many messages wishing us well on social media and on WhatsApp and phone calls etc so this one is for everyone out there – the coaches and players that have come before, “said an emotional Ellis.
South Africa will face Zambia in the second semifinal on Monday, 18 July.