Banyana Banyana edged closer to the second round of the 2022 Africa Women Cup of Nations qualifiers following a 7-0 demolition of Mozambique in a first stage, first leg match at Campo da ABB in Matola on Wednesday.
Desiree Ellis’ ladies raced 3-0 up in the first half, first through Melinda Kgadiete who beat Mozambique goalkeeper Eva Costa in the 22nd minute.
Linda Motlhalo's 41st-minute strike and Gabriela Saldado, who scored in first-half stoppage time, made it even more difficult for the hosts.
Banyana were back to finish the business with captain Janine van Wyk throwing the contest further from the hosts’ reach with a goal on 64 minutes while Salgado sealed her brace a minute later.
Noxolo Cesane fired in South Africa’s sixth goal in the 77th minute before Motlhalo also grabbed a double to complete the rout with a minute to go.
The heavy win thrust South Africa in an advantageous position ahead of hosting Mozambique for this round’s second leg next Tuesday.
South Africa coach Ellis started Kgadiete and Motlhalo as twin strikers while familiar faces like skipper van Wyk, Refiloe Jane and Robyn Moodaly were also in the line-up.
Atletico Madrid’s Thembi Kgatlana was surprisingly on the bench.
It was a comfortable outing for Banyana Banyana who controlled play from the start of the contest.
They were rewarded when Kgadiete thrust them upfront after 22 minutes in what put the hosts under pressure to launch a comeback.
Lonica Tsamwane who spearheaded the hosts' attack tried penetrating but found Kaylin Swart alert in the 25th minute.
Mozambique’s efforts were further frustrated when Motlhalo doubled South Africa’s advantage with four minutes to go to half-time.
The two goals justified Ellis’ decision to start the goalscorers as striking partners.
As the hosts were trying to arrange themselves and recover, Gabriella Salgado beat the half-time whistle to make it 3-0 in favour of Banyana.
Mozambique captain Cina Manuel shot just over the bar from inside the box as the hosts appeared rejuvenated to turn around the huge task at hand.
But four Banyana goals followed in the second stanza as Mozambique goalkeeper Costa had a busy afternoon retrieving the ball from the back of the net.
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