South Africa booked its place in the quarter-finals of the CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Burkina Faso in their final Group B fixture.
Burkina Faso made the brighter start and should have taken an early lead when Alimata Belem found herself through on goal. However, the forward hesitated instead of shooting, allowing the South African goalkeeper to recover and gather the ball at her feet.
South Africa gradually settled into the contest and nearly broke the deadlock in the 18th minute. Isabella Ludwig rose well to meet a cross, but her well-directed header drifted narrowly wide of the post.
Three minutes later, Banyana Banyana found the breakthrough. Fikile Magama’s intelligent delivery picked out Thembi Kgatlana, who calmly tapped home from close range to give the former champions the lead.
Kgatlana continued to trouble the Burkina Faso defence and almost doubled South Africa’s advantage in the 30th minute. After a clever set-piece routine orchestrated by Refilwe Jane, the forward produced an excellent turn inside the area before firing just over the crossbar.
Burkina Faso emerged after the interval determined to find an equaliser and pushed forward in search of a goal that would keep their hopes alive. However, they were repeatedly frustrated by a disciplined and organised South African defence that limited clear-cut opportunities throughout the second half.
Despite Burkina Faso’s attacking intent, Banyana Banyana managed the closing stages to preserve their slender advantage and advance to the next stage of the competition.
Latest WAFCON results
Burkina Faso 0-1 South Africa
Tanzania 1-2 Cote d’Ivoire.
