Two second half goals from Nomathemba Ntsibande secured Banyana Banyana a 2-0 win over Northern Ireland in their Group C fixture at the Cyprus Women’s Cup on Sunday.
The win ensured Banyana Banyana finish in third place in Group C with four points from three matches and a chance to playoff for ninth and 10th place on Tuesday in the 12-nation competition.
After a goalless first half in which South Africa had the better goal-scoring chances, Ntsibande scored from the penalty spot.
This after Noko Matlou’s cross hit the hand of a Northern Ireland defender in the penalty area.
Northern Ireland were reduced to 10 players in the 75th minute when Catherine O’Hagan was sent from the field for a studs-up challenge, resulting in her second yellow card of the game.
Two minutes later, Ntsibande made a superb run on the left side, beating three defenders before striking the ball with her left foot.
The shot rebounded off the post and ended in the back of the net.
Ntsibande was disappointed with the team’s result against New Zealand on Thursday, which ended in a goalless draw, but congratulated her team-mates on their last group game.
“It was a real team effort out there against Northern Ireland, and we could have been in an even healthier position on the log because we played really well in our previous game against New Zealand as well,” Ntsibande said.
Banyana head coach, Joseph Mkhonza, was happy with his side’s performance, believing his team were preparing well ahead of the Olympics Games.
“We are delighted to get the win and I believe that our team is improving with every game they play,” Mkhonza said.
“We will continue with our plans to ready the squad for the Olympics in July.” — Sapa