Banayana Banyana drew 2-2 with arch-rivals Nigeria on Tuesday in their first fixture at the All Africa Games in Algiers, Algeria.
Nigeria found themselves 1-0 down early in the game after a dreadful own goal. The South Africans capitalised and further increased their lead after netting a superb cross from the left wing. The goal was scored by Veronica Phewa in the dying minutes of the first half.
The South African women’s football team did well to soak up the pressure in the second half after they substituted a defender in the 51st minute. The Nigerians, having found themselves on the wrong side of a number of off-side decisions, were still in fighting spirit.
They put up a gritty performance maintaining good ball possession and looking very dangerous on the attack. Banyana Banyana goal-keeper Thoko Mnadwaweni did well to deny the Nigerians with some brilliant saves.
The Nigerians continued their pressure and were finally rewarded with an equaliser in the 62nd minute. The teams were tied at 2-2 at the final whistle. The South African men’s under-23 football team take on Tunisia Wednesday in Algiers. — Sapa