World Cup still in reach for Banyana

23 October 2014 - 02:18 By Khanyiso Tshwaku in Windhoek
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Next year's Women's World Cup is still an attainable goal for Banyana Banyana, but they will have to do it the hard way, which is to win the third place play-off.

They were gallant and it would be safe to say they left their boots on the artificial playing surface. The Super Falcons were not in the mood to let Banyana escape with the same result as two years ago, a 1-0 win for Banyana.

Nigeria were committed, cohesive and, more importantly, - were clinical when they needed to be in the final third, something that could not be said of Banyana Banyana.

When they did sniff the opportunity in Nigeria's box, they were either outnumbered by the physical defence or tried to over-elaborate.

Beating an efficient Nigerian team was always going to be a tough task, and, after Asisat Oshoala netted a brace within seven minutes, it was always going to be a tough ask for South Africa.

The slender forward, along with Francisca Ordega, was a constant threat to Banyana and it was only a matter of time before one of them scored.

While Simphiwe Dludlu did her defensive duties with aplomb on the right, numbers were pushed down her flank and Nigeria applied pressure to a point where Thoko Mndaweni was forced into four saves in four minutes.

It was a sign of things to come but Banyana did have their chances, with a clearly unfit Portia Modise testing the jittery Ibubeleye Whyte in the 21st minute.

From that point on, Nigeria's strength in the midfield started to show, and, when Shiwe Nogwanya was bundled off the ball in the 38th minute, Nigeria took advantage of the mistake. With the defence at sixes and sevens, Oshoala made the most of the confusion and slotted the ball past Mndaweni.

The experienced goalkeeper had an excellent game, but she had to take responsibility for the second goal on the stroke of half time, when Oshoala's cross-cum-shot caught her off her line.

Nigeria's tactical organisation and dominance came to the fore in the second half when they made sure Banyana had to go looking for the ball. Unlike in the first half, when they kept Mndaweni busy, they only forced two credible saves as they were content to let Banyana do all the running.

Banyana's attacking became ragged and disjointed, with Noko Matlou also filling in as an auxiliary striker but somehow they were able to score in the 68th minute.

There was confusion as to how the goal was awarded, as Kenyan official Damaris Kimani seemed to be unsighted. A well-worked short corner by Refiloe Jane somehow found its way over the line.

There was the eventual final flurry from Banyana but there was no way Nigeria were going to let their lead slip. Nigeria are through to the World Cup but Banyana still have another chance.

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