Black Queens defeat South Africa in international friendly

Published on: 18 May 2014
Black Queens defeat South Africa in international friendly
The Black Queens defeated South Africa in the friendly today

Ghana's female national team handed their South African counterpart a 1-0 defeat in an international friendly at the Dobsonville Stadium in Johannesburg on Sunday.

A skillful, second-half free kick from Portia Boakye was all that separated the two sides that provided rich entertainment at a vibrant Soweto venue.

The match was attended by among others, Minister of Sport, Fikile Mbalula, Sascoc President, Gideon Sam, SAFA President, Dr Danny Jordaan and several SAFA NEC members.

Using this tie as preparation for their African Women's Championship qualifier against the Comoros later this month, Banyana Banyana coach Vera Pauw stressed the importance of them winning this tie to head into those AFCON qualifiers in buoyant mood.

But her charges could sadly not carry out that mandate and as a result they will now face the Comoros with their morale down low.

The first half was very scrappy from both sides, with a few stoppages in play and a lack of inventiveness in the last third.

Sanah Mollo though had the perfect opportunity to give the host the lead five minutes to the break, but she shot wide with the goal at her mercy.

There was little to talk about in the opening 45 minutes as the two teams looked happy in weighing each other, with little action on the goalmouth.

The match however, opened up in the second half with both sides throwing everything up front with Ghana’s Boakye, substitute Elizabeth Cudjoe and Mercy Myles causing plenty of problems to the Banyana back four.

In the second half, Elizabeth Coudjoe produced an acrobatic save from Thoka Ndaweni on the hour mark.

However, Portia Boakye would make no mistake in granting the visitors the lead from a 30-yard free-kick that sailed over Ndaweni in the 71st minute.

It was Boakye who was proving a handful with her electrifying pace and it came as no surprise when she netted the only goal of the afternoon.

Ghana won a free kick deep inside Banyana Banyana area and Boakye spotted Thoko Ndaweni off her line, powering a long range effort into the back of the net.

Banyana replied immediately with Smeda, first firing a long range shot and then watching her point blank header saved by Nana Asantewaa in goals for the visitors.

The goal sparked an upturn in the hosts and they launched attack after attack to get back into the game and they went close when Leandra Smeda saw her header in the 81st minute saved by Nana Asantewaa.

That's how it would end for Pauw and company, as they now face the Comoros for a spot in the AFCON 2014 in Namibia in October.

STARTING LINE-UPS

South Africa: Thoko Ndaweni, Nothando Vilakazi, Janine van Wyk, Nomathemba Ntsibande, Simphiwe Dludlu, Amanda Dlamini, Portia Modise, Sanah Molo, Refiloe Jane, Leandra Smeda, Mamello Makhabane

Ghana: Nana Asantewaa, Hillia Kobblah, Faiza Ibrahim, Janet Egyir, Juliet Acheampong, Samira Suleman, Cynthia Adobea, Leticia Zikpi, Mercy Myles, Rosemary Ampem, Portia Boakye

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