Staff Reporter.
South Africa came from behind to salvage a 1-1 draw with 10 woman Tanzania in their second Group C match at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup in Morocco.
The Tanzanians enjoyed a lot more of the possession in the early stages of the first half as the reigning champions found it tough to get out of their own half.
Tanzania would go on to make their dominance count on 25 minutes when captain Opah Clement rose above her marker and sent a fine header into the far corner.
South Africa, meanwhile, struggled to carve out any clear-cut chances as the first half continued and they were restricted to efforts from distance, with Jermaine Seoposenwe going close with a powerful effort in the final 10 minutes.
After a rather disappointing first half, Banyana coach Desiree Ellis made a double change at the start of the second half as Noxolo Cesane and Kgalebane Mohlakoana made way for Lebohang Ramalepe and Hildah Magaia in an attempt to get back into the contest.
Karabo Dhlamini whipped the ball to Magaia who ultimately missed the target. Seoposenwe had an opportunity to equalise in the 55th minute but her shot was punched out. It was Tanzania’s opportunity three minutes later through the efforts of Winfred Gerald seeing Kaylin Swart out of position however Dhlamini was on time to make a goal line clearance.
Tanzania, however, were reduced to ten players with seven minutes left on the clock as Gerald was shown a straight red card for dangerous challenge on Linda Motlhalo following a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) check.
Fikile Magama also came close to scoring for Banyana in the 68th minutes but was denied by Idrisa Abass who concede a corner. Dhlamini played the corner shot with Ramalepe who sent it to Bambanani Mbane and the Mamelodi Sundowns defender levelled.
Meanwhile Ghana’s hopes of reaching the quarter-finals of the 2024 TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations remain in the balance after a 1-1 draw with West African rivals Mali in a fiercely contested Group C encounter at Stade Municipal de Berkane on Friday.