By: Lebohang Maluke
MASERU
Banyana Banyana continues their impressive run in friendly football with a commanding 2-0 victory over Lesotho in their second friendly match at the UJ Soweto Campus on Tuesday. This result followed a hard-fought 1-0 win in the first encounter just three days earlier.
The two back-to-back victories over Lesotho showcases the depth of talent in the South African women’s national team, as head coach Desiree Ellis aims to evaluate the capabilities of her younger players.
The clash at the UJ Soweto Campus marks another step in Banyana Banyana’s preparations for future international competitions. Although the first game was a narrow 1-0 triumph, Tuesday’s match saw a more dominant performance from the South Africans, underlining their potential to perform at higher levels. The friendly series is strategically designed by Desiree Ellis to give younger players a chance to impress, while also allowing the coach to evaluate their readiness for more significant challenges ahead.
From the outset, Banyana Banyana are intent on showing their superiority. The match was barely five minutes old when Sibongile Ntoane opened the scoring for the South Africans. A swift, incisive move saw Ntoane break into the Lesotho defense and calmly slot the ball past the goalkeeper to give her side an early lead. The goal was a testament to the youthful energy and attacking intent Banyana Banyana brought to the field.
Despite their early lead, South Africa maintains a high tempo throughout the first half, with Lesotho struggling to deal with the constant pressure. The Lesotho defense is repeatedly tested, as Banyana Banyana dominates possession and create numerous chances. It is clear that Desiree Ellis had instilled a sense of purpose in her squad, as the players’ movement off the ball and tactical awareness were much improved compared to the previous match.
On the stroke of halftime, South Africa doubled their advantage through Unathi Simayile. A well-placed cross from the wing found Simayile in space, and she finishes clinically to make it 2-0 just before the break. Simayile’s goal further highlights the fluid attacking play that Banyana Banyana are capable of when they were at their best. The young forward’s calm and composed finish was an indication of the promising talent coming through the ranks of South African women’s football.
The second half saw Banyana Banyana continue to control the game, with Lesotho finding it difficult to break down the resolute South African defense. South Africa’s defense, organised by experienced players, ensures that Lesotho’s attacking forays were limited to half-chances. The younger players in the team, including those who came on as substitutes, had ample opportunities to gain more experience, further emphasizing the importance of the friendly matches in the overall development of the squad.
While the result is largely positive, there is still areas for improvement. The South Africans, especially the younger players, were at times a little too eager, leading to rushed decisions and missed opportunities. However, these are the kinds of lessons that come from friendly matches, and Coach Ellis will undoubtedly use the experience gained from both encounters to fine-tune her team ahead of more significant competitions.
The two friendly matches against Lesotho are also an important opportunity for Coach Desiree Ellis to test the depth of her squad. With several younger players given a chance to play significant minutes, Ellis was able to assess how well they could handle the rigors of international football. The matches allow the South African coach to identify potential future stars and provide them with invaluable experience at the senior level.
Banyana Banyana’s dominance over Lesotho is an encouraging sign for the team, as they continue to build towards future competitions. Despite the relatively low-profile nature of the friendlies, the victories provided much-needed confidence and allowed the team to gel further as a unit.
As they reflect on this double victory, the team will no doubt look ahead to their upcoming challenges with renewed confidence, knowing that their hard work is paying off and that their coach’s trust in the younger players is leading them to a bright future.