Banyana Banyana win tri-series with a perfect record ahead of Wafcon

Jermaine Seoposenwe starred for Banyana Banyana, who pulled off a clean sweep in the Cosafa Tri-Nations series in their preparations for the Women's Africa Cup of Nations.

Seoposenwe scored the winner in the 2-0 win over Zambia in the final game of the series at Lucas Masterpieces Stadium on Tuesday afternoon. The Mexico-based striker had also scored a brace in the  3-2 win over Botswana in their opener, as they finished the series with a perfect record on home soil. 

Seoposenwe’s goal against the Copper Queens came late in the second half, as she capitalised from a poor clearance at the back, before slotting home from close-range. Bongeka Gamede had put the defending African champions in the driving seat in the 74th minute, as she rattled the roof of the net with a thunderbolt free-kick.

On paper, it was the perfect day in the office for Desiree Ellis and her troops, but the coach will know that Banyana’s work is still cut out for them ahead of Wafcon next month.

The Copper Queens’ talisman Barbra Banda had many openings in this game, especially in the first half. She only lacked support, which could have punished Banyana. So, given there’ll be no room for error at Wafcon, Banyana need to be at their best in defence ... if they are to plug their shortcomings.

What was also disappointing about Banyana’s defence is that they had their regular defence,  including central defender Bambanai Mbane and Lebohang Ramalepe.

The latter seemingly forgot her role as a defender early on, as she was mostly high up the field, instead of keeping Banyana's shape in defence. Even with her adding numbers up-front, Seoponsenwe and Amogelang Motau were still not clinical in the early stages of the match.

Ramalepe was fully converted to a forward in the second half and that swung the tide in Banyana’s favour, as Gamede and Seoposenwe chipped in with their all important goals.

Ellis will put her head on the block in the next few weeks and announce her final squad for Wafcon as she’s already naming the preliminary squad.

Scorers

BANYANA BANYANA (0) 2

Gamede 74, Seoposenwe 82

ZAMBIA 0