Latest news with #LindaMotlhalo
Morocco World
a day ago
- Sport
- Morocco World
Tanzania vs South Africa: Match Preview & Score Prediction
South Africa will aim to seal a place in the quarter-finals of the 2024 Women's Africa Cup of Nations when they take on Tanzania tonight at Honour Stadium in Oujda Kick-off is at 8 p.m. Moroccan time (GMT+1), and fans can catch the action live on beIN Sports, CANAL+, New WorldTV, SuperSport, Azam Media, SABC, Ziggo, BAND, SportTV, and Arena Sport. The defending champions made a statement in their opening match, beating Ghana 2–0 thanks to goals from Linda Motlhalo and Jermaine Seoposenwe. That win extended South Africa's unbeaten run in 2024 to eight straight victories, with six clean sheets and 17 goals scored along the way. Another three points in this game would guarantee safe passage to the last eight. For Tanzania, the margin for error is now razor thin. A narrow 1–0 defeat to Mali in their opener has left them needing at least a point to keep hopes alive of sneaking through as one of the best third-placed sides. But facing Banyana Banyana – a side brimming with experience and pedigree – is no easy task. Twiga Stars showed promise in qualifying, but have looked short of ideas against top-tier opposition. They were humbled 3–0 by Morocco in a pre-tournament friendly and struggled to threaten Mali. Score Prediction: South Africa are simply a level above. Desiree Ellis' team are organised, clinical, and battle-hardened. Barring a miracle, this should be a routine win. MWN says South Africa 3–0 Tanzania
TimesLIVE
3 days ago
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
‘We must show the same mentality,' Mbane says as Banyana focus on Tanzania
Banyana Banyana's veteran defender Bambanani Mbane believes if they maintain the mentality they showed against Ghana in their opening match at the Women's Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) in Morocco they'll earn another three points against Tanzania on Friday. The defending champions kicked off the tournament with a convincing enough 2-0 win over Ghana at the Stade d'Honneur in Oujda on Monday where Linda Motlhalo and Jermaine Seoposenwe sealed the victory with first-half goals. 'If we go with the same mentality we showed in the first game [we'll be OK],' said Mbane, who earned a player of the match award against Ghana. 'Tanzania lost their first match [1-0 against Mali], so they will want to prove they're a team that can do better. We need to maintain the same mentality we showed in the first game and not change.'
The Hindu
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Hindu
WAFCON 2024: South Africa beats Ghana 2-0; Mali pips Tanzania in Women's African Cup of Nations
South Africa, the reigning Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) champion, began its title defence with a 2-0 win over Ghana at the Honneur Stadium in Oujda, Morocco, on Monday. Banyana Banyana opened the scoring in the 28th minute from the penalty spot, with Linda Motlhalo converting after Noxolo Cesane — playing her 50th match for South Africa — was fouled in the box by Grace Asantewaa. South Africa didn't settle after taking the lead and doubled it just six minutes later. MORE FROM WAFCON 2024: Asisat Oshoala, Babajide shine as Nigeria beats Tunisia 3-0 Lebohang Ramalepe delivered a cross from the right, setting up Jermaine Seoposenwe, who beat Cynthia Konlan at her near post. The Monterrey striker nearly scored again in the 63rd minute when she was played in behind, but her shot went wide. Ghana, sluggish in the first half, showed far more intent after the break. Alice Kusi's effort rattled the woodwork in the 60th minute, and Evelyn Badu's header hit the frame of the goal 10 minutes from time. In the other Group C match, Mali beat Tanzania 1-0 in Berkane, with Saratou Traoré scoring the winner in the first minute of first-half stoppage time. Mali plays Ghana next in Berkane while South Africa will take on Tanzania in the second matchday of the group four days later.
Daily Maverick
5 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Maverick
Banyana Banyana off to positive Wafcon start after beating Ghana
Goals from Banyana Banyana seniors Jermaine Seoposenwe and Linda Motlhalo helped South Africa to a 2-0 win over Ghana in their opening Women's Africa Cup of Nations match on Monday. Banyana Banyana shook off the negativity which had besieged the build-up to their Women's Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) title defence when they beat Ghana 2-0 in their opening game at the Honneur Stadium in Oujda, Morocco, on Monday. Linda Motlhalo's expertly taken penalty in the 28th minute laid the foundation for South Africa's success. Scotland-based Motlhalo slotted past Ghana goalkeeper Cynthia Konlan after Noxolo Cesane was fouled on the edge of the box. Six minutes later, South Africa doubled the lead after the retiring Jermaine Seoposenwe latched on to a cross from Lebohang Ramalepe on the right wing. It was cruise control thereafter, with some occasional turbulence as the Ghanaian attack asked questions of Banyana Banyana's defence without any success. Fully focused Banyana Banyana came into this match with an extra bright spotlight focused on them — the defending champions had been plagued by off-field issues that looked like derailing the team's title defence before it even began. Their super striker, Thembi Kgatlana, made herself unavailable for selection ahead of the tournament for personal reasons. Then, the Banyana Banyana players took on the South African Football Association due to outstanding payments for pre-Wafcon friendlies. However, there were no signs of these stressors during the game on Monday. With the temperature reaching 36°C, the South Africans controlled the pace of the match throughout. Banyana did not overexert themselves in the scorching heat. After asserting their dominance with the blitzkrieg blows from Motlhalo and Seoposenwe, it was easier for the team to dictate the tempo of the match as they made the Black Queens chase the ball. When Ghana attempted to mount a comeback in the second half, goalkeeper Andile Dlamini was on hand to thwart them, with the post coming to the aid of South Africa twice when Dlamini was beaten. It was not a memorable Banyana Banyana performance, but it was one filled with the grit and tenacity which coach Desiree Ellis says defines her team. 'We have a group of players that can rise to the occasion. We have a group of players that never know when to quit. It's a group you can rely on; it doesn't matter who comes in,' said Ellis. Unity is the key Although it was far from being a ruthless win, the outcome suggests that Banyana Banyana are now fully focused on defending their title. Of course, improvements need to be made, particularly in defence. Banyana played a high line that the Black Queens sometimes breached, only to be wasteful or for Dlamini to deny them. Against better opposition, such opportunities will be exploited. Banyana Banyana co-captain Refiloe Jane said the team members would support each other as they target the tough task of winning successive Wafcons. Only 11-time champions Nigeria have managed this feat in the three-decade history of the tournament. 'The most important thing in our team is unity, to go out and do it for one another. We always encourage that before games: 'Don't forget your sister, whatever you do, do it for the next person.' That was also the secret of winning the previous edition. It's the unity that we have and the will to fight for one another,' said Jane. Banyana Banyana play Tanzania on Friday, 11 July. Success in that match will see South Africa qualify for the knockout round. DM
CAF
5 days ago
- Sport
- CAF
South Africa begin WAFCON title defence with confident win over Ghana
Published: Monday, 07 July 2025 Reigning champions South Africa got their 2025 TotalEnergies CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations campaign off to a perfect start with a convincing 2-0 victory over Ghana in their Group C opener in Oujda on Monday. Goals from Linda Motlhalo and Jermaine Seoposenwe inside the opening 35 minutes gave Banyana Banyana the result they needed to assert their status as title contenders in the expanded 12-team competition. Desiree Ellis' side looked composed from the outset and took the lead on 28 minutes after a VAR review confirmed a penalty for a foul on Noxolo Cesane. Motlhalo stepped up and slotted home coolly to the bottom right corner, giving South Africa the advantage their early pressure deserved. Moments later, they struck again. Full-back Lebohang Ramalepe surged forward and threaded a clever pass into the path of Seoposenwe, who calmly finished low into the far corner to double the lead. Ghana, making their return to WAFCON after missing the last edition, struggled to match the pace and organisation of their more experienced opponents. While they grew into the contest in the second half, they were wasteful in front of goal, with both Evelyn Badu and Alice Kusi hitting the crossbar. Despite several promising spells of pressure after the break, the Black Queens were repeatedly denied by South African goalkeeper Andile Dlamini, who made key saves to preserve the clean sheet. South Africa managed the game well in the closing stages, introducing fresh legs through Hildah Magaia and Ronnel Donnelly to control possession and absorb Ghana's late push. The result extends Banyana Banyana's impressive record in opening WAFCON matches, having now won their last three tournament openers, including previous wins over Nigeria in 2018 and 2022. Ghana, meanwhile, will need to regroup quickly if they are to progress from a tricky Group C that also includes Mali and Tanzania.
