Banyana Banyana celebrate winning goal over Tanzania

South Africa recorded a slim 2-1 win over Tanzania in the opening game of the 2010 Africa Women Championships on Sunday.

Midfield sensation Mamello Makhabane held her nerve to slot home a penalty in the 84th minute to get Banyana Banyana off the mark in a Group A match played at the Sinaba stadium.

SA Striker Mamphashe Popela scored the first goal of the Championships when she controlled a cross from the left from midfielder Makhabane, to fire home in a crowded penalty area on 34th minutes.

But Tanzania levelled the score three minutes from the break, when Shurua Mwananahamis led a classy counter attack to provide a pin-point accurate pass to let Fatuma Bashiri run through to the edge of the Banyana Banyana penalty area before firing home past SA goalkeeper Thoko Mndaweni.

Banyana Banyana coach Augustine Makalakalane introduced second half substitutes Jermaine Seoposenwe and Amanda Dlamini with Capetonian Seoposenwe, who plays for Santos in the Western Cape Sasol League, proving more than a handful on the left-hand side of midfield.

The Tanzanian task was made even harder when they were reduced to 10 players after the inspirational Mwananahamis was sent off with five minutes left on clock – having taken a dive in the Banyana Banyana penalty area in the hope of earning a penalty. This saw her collecting her second yellow card of the match.

“The wind was a challenge for our team in the second half,” said Banyana Banyana coach Augustine Makalakalane afterwards.

“The Tanzanians played a completely different style to how they played when Banyana Banyana beat them 6-0 in a friendly international in Tembisa in July.

“Back then, they played an open style game, while today they played sometimes with 6 players behind the ball so it was difficult for us to penetrate.”

Banyana Banyana play their next Group A game against record winners Nigeria at the same venue on November 4.