South Africa’s Banyana Banyana kicked off their Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title defence with a strong performance, claiming a 2-0 victory over Ghana in their opening Group C clash at the Honor Stadium in Oujda on Monday evening.
The reigning champions established control early and took a decisive lead in the first half, courtesy of goals from Linda Motlhalo and Jermaine Seoposenwe.
Despite a spirited second-half response from the Black Queens, South Africa stood firm to secure all three points in their pursuit of consecutive continental titles.
Although South Africa dictated the pace from the outset, it was Ghana who produced the first two attempts on goal—both of which failed to truly test goalkeeper Andile Dlamini.
The breakthrough came just before the half-hour mark when Nxolo Cesane was brought down in the box by Grace Asantewaa’s mistimed challenge.
After a VAR review confirmed the foul, Linda Motlhalo stepped up and calmly slotted the ball into the bottom corner from the spot in the 28th minute.
Six minutes later, Banyana Banyana doubled their lead. Jermaine Seoposenwe latched onto a precise pass into the area from Lebogang Ramalepe and finished with a well-placed low strike that beat Ghana’s goalkeeper Cynthia Konlan at her near post.
Ghana nearly halved the deficit in the 41st minute through Grace Asantewaa’s long-range effort, but Dlamini made an excellent save, diving to her right to push the ball away for a corner.
At halftime, South Africa held a 2-0 advantage and nearly added a third soon after the restart, when Seoposenwe found herself in a promising position, only to direct her shot straight at Konlan.
The Black Queens came agonisingly close on the hour mark. Alice Kusi fired a powerful effort from distance that beat Dlamini but crashed against the crossbar.
Just three minutes later, South Africa nearly extended their lead again when Seoposenwe broke free behind the Ghana defence.
However, with only the goalkeeper to beat, she dragged her low shot narrowly wide.
Ghana hit the woodwork a second time in the 81st minute. A quality delivery from Comfort Yeboah on the right flank found Evelyn Badu in the box, but her close-range header smacked off the crossbar.
That was the final major opportunity for either side, as Banyana Banyana held firm in the closing minutes to claim a valuable opening win.
Both teams will be back in Group C action on Friday, 11 July. Ghana will face Mali in Berkane, while South Africa returns to Oujda for a clash with Tanzania.
