Brazil hand Banyana a lesson and don’t stop to see if hosts are taking notes

Banyana Banyana had hoped to close the gap on Brazil after Friday’s 3-0 defeat at Orlando Stadium, but instead it widened — by three more goals as the Seleção gleefully danced six unanswered strikes past SA at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Monday evening.

SA coach Desiree Ellis is hoping to learn lessons on where 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) champions Banyana need to close the gap on top-class opponents before next year’s World Cup.

Brazil handed SA a lesson and didn’t stop to see if their hosts were taking notes, running out 6-0 winners in the friendly in Durban.

Banyana were far too loose in defence for the Samba of legendary women’s coach Pia Sundhage’s slick, precise, skilful Brazil and their superb attack of Debinha, Adriana, Tamires, Kerolin and substitute Bia Zaneratto.

The ninth-ranked South American champions’ took a 2-0 lead to the break through goals by Adriana in the fifth minute and Debinha a minute into added time. Four more followed in the second half via Zaneratto from a 49th-minute penalty, Maria Eduarda Francelino in the 52nd, Kathellen in the 59th and Debinha again in the 81st.

Ellis and her players were made aware, again, that while they are in the top three in Africa, when it comes to a bigger stage Banyana remain a few steps behind the pace. How to close that gap is the team’s conundrum before the 2023 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand in July and August.

Banyana’s task was not made easier by goalkeeper Kaylin Swart, who started ahead of Wafcon hero Andile Dlamini, having a rough evening between the posts. But Swart could also only do so much with the players in front of her so consistently back-pedalling for most of the 90 minutes.

Almost from the start Noxolo Cesane chested a Brazil punt upfield into the path of Adriana who could easily feed Tamires down the left to force a save.

The resultant corner was half-cleared by SA allowing Ary Borges to cross back in from the left, as Swart held Kerolin’s header. But the keeper’s kick was low and into an SA defender, the loose ball slotted from just inside the area by Adriana.

The Seleção’s chances continued, but SA also started to look like they could do something when they spread the ball around. Hildah Magaia’s ball across goal saw Brazil keeper Lorena having to stop at the feet of Jermaine Seoposenwe.

But in added time a Brazil chip over the top found Debinha in acres of space on the right to advance and chip advancing Swart for the visitors’ second.

Three minutes back from the break, after SA gave the ball away in front of their box, substitute Zaneratto barrelled past defenders and Swart had to take the big striker’s feet out just inside the area, referee Maria Rivet pointing to the spot. Zaneratto slotted to the left of the SA keeper.

Banyana 's defence were caught poorly ball-watching as Debinha beat offside to force a stop from Swart. Adriana’s shot was blocked on the line and substitute Francelino finished.

Debinha’s corner was won by Zaneratto towards the near post where defender Kathellen buried the header and Brazil were 5-0 up by just before the hour-mark.

It took 22 minutes for the sixth to come. Kerolin beat right-back Bongeka Gamede with superb skill and crossed for Debinha to rise athletically à la Romario and head past Swart.

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