South Africa now top the standings after a 3-0 thumping of Ghana on Day 3 of the Aisha Buhari Invitational Women’s tournament in Lagos.
The 2018 African Woman Player of the Year, Thembi Kgatlana, put up a star performance netting a goal and providing an assist in the entertaining encounter at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena.
Banyana Banyana could have taken the lead in the 7th minute through a Hilda Magaia header, but her effort was off the target. The pressure from South Africa paid off in the 18th minute when Magaia again headed the ball into the net after it had hit the top of the bar from Kgatlana’s shot.
Ghana almost leveled in the 22nd minute, but South Africa’s goalie made a timely save to deny them.
In the second half, Kgatlana who plies her trade with Atletico Madrid of Spain finally got her name on the score sheet in the 53rd minute when she outpaced two defenders and dribbled goalkeeper, Dumehasi Fafali to put the ball into an empty net.
For the remainder of the game, Ghana’s half of the pitch was the busier of the teams resulting in South Africa’s third strike when seven minutes from time, Sibulele Holweni rose highest in the box to nod home a corner kick by substitute Robyn Moodaly.
Victory meant the Banyana are now the team at the top in the tournament, one goal better than African champions Nigeria who defeated Mali 2-0 on the opening day.
A total of six goals have been scored in the tournament, with Nigeria’s Gift Monday the leading goalscorer with two goals.
Action will resume on Sunday when Morocco’s Atlas Lionesses and the Femelle Aiglons of Mali do battle. South Africa’s next game is against hosts Nigeria on Tuesday.
