The South African women’s soccer team battled bravely in energy-sapping heat, but goals from Aboudi Ongeuene and substitute Kareen Yoh saw Cameroon to a 2-0 win in an international friendly at the Moruleng Stadium in the North West Province on Sunday.

The match, nonetheless, will have provided a great opportunity for Banyana Banyana coach Augustine Makalakalane, already comforted by the knowledge that he can call home at least five of his more experienced foreign-based players to bolster the national squad prior to action in the CAF African Women’s Championships in Ekurhuleni in Gauteng, in November.

The top two sides at the African showpiece will represent the continent at the 2011 Fifa women’s World Cup in Germany.

In Moruleng, the hosts team found themselves 1-0 down after 15 minutes.

A wicked bounce of the ball put their central defenders under pressure before Cameroon’s Onguene leapt high to send a looping header into the back of the Banyana Banyana net despite the efforts of advancing goalkeeper Thoko Mdaweni.

Mdaweni pulled off a brilliant save 10 minutes later to deny Cameroonian forward Gaelle Enganamoutt from just four yards out, before the rebound was fired high and wide of goal into the crowd by the striker.

With four minutes of play remaining in the second half, Yoh collected a cross from the left, steering the ball home to seal victory.

South Africa had their fair share of scoring chances with Leandra Smeda oozing class up front and creating several opportunities for her team-mates to find the back of the net.

Free State-based wing Sana Mollo grew in confidence as the match progressed and sent in several teasing crosses from the right side of midfield.

On defence, Banyana Banyana captain Simphiwe Dludlu used all her experience to blunt several goal-bound attacks from the opposition.