By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Banyana Banyana brushed aside Uzbekistan 3-0 in their Turkish Women’s Cup first match at the Emirhan Sport Complex in Antalya, Turkey.
Desiree Ellis charges claimed all three points courtesy of goals from Jermaine Seoposenwe and Noxolo Cesane in between an own goal from Tojiddinova Shokhida.
After an eventful match, it was a good performance from Banyana Banyana who claimed the first win at the tournament.
The African champions return to the pitch when they face Slovenia at the same venue on Tuesday [21 February 2023].
Meanwhile the South African Football Association has defended its decision to send Banyana Banyana to Turkey despite the effects of the devastating earthquake.
Banyana Banyana travelled to Alanya in Turkey’s central Mediterranean coast for the Turkish Women’s Cup which started on Wednesday but the trip was not received well in South Africa given the country is still dealing with the effects of the earthquake.
Over 40,000 people, including Ghana International Christian Atsu, have lost their lives following the earthquake that struck southern Turkey and neighbouring Syria, causing more than 5,600 buildings to collapse on February 6 with sporting activities suspended in the country indefinitely.
However, Banyana Banyana went ahead with the trip after coach Desiree Ellis named a squad of 16 locally-based players to be joined by seven more who are based in Europe for the invitational tournament that has Zambia also participating.
Safa said the tournament was necessary for the team who are preparing for the 2023 World Cup in New Zealand and Australia, scheduled between July 20 and August 20, and that it became necessary after the African champions were cut off from the Cyprus Cup after initially getting an invitation by Cyprus.
“We had to take the preparation because the coach says, ‘I am in a critical stage. I only have three windows before the World Cup. If I leave this chance to go, it means I have only two, said Safa CEO Tebogo Motlanthe.
“How do I choose the team? After having a meeting with the coach and TD [Technical Director] we took a decision that we are going to participate. The team is safely there and they are saying that their stay has been a nice one and they have not met any challenges.
“We hope that they will play their two friendlies and that will afford the coach the time she wanted, added Motlanthe.”
Banyana Banyana will be making a second straight appearance at the World Cup following their debut in France four years ago when they exited the tournament at the group stage.