Banyana made to sweat by Botswana in Wafcon warm-up friendly

Banyana Banyana started the final phase of their preparations for the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) in Morocco in July with a 3-2 win over a stubborn Botswana in their Tri-Nations friendly at Lucas Moripe Stadium, Pretoria, on Wednesday. 

Banyana coach Desiree Ellis started the match as part of the build-up to South Africa's defence of their Wafcon 2022 title with veteran midfielder Refiloe Jane, who made her return to the team for the first time in more than a year after a career-threatening injury. 

Jane, who stayed on the pitch for 70 minutes until she was replaced by Bongeka Gamede, played closely with Amogelang Motau in the heart of the midfield, where she looked comfortable. 

The match also featured midfielder Mogolola Regina, who was also making a long-awaited return to the team, having last played for the national team in 2018. She was given a chance on Wednesday to push for a place in the final squad for Wafcon. 

Ellis went with experienced players such as Kaylin Swart, Karabo Dhlamini, Gabriela Salgado and Bambanani Mbane while the likes of Lebogang Ramalepe, Bongeka Gamede, Linda Motlhalo and Tiisetso Makhubela stayed on the bench. 

Key striker Hilda Magaia and goalkeeper Andile Dlamini were not part of the proceedings and it remains to be seen if they will be available for the second match against Zambia at the same venue on Tuesday. 

Banyana opened the scoring in the 13th minute when attacker Mibe Adrielle pounced from close range, after Botswana goalkeeper Bosija Sedilame parried the ball into her path. 

It was not long before Banyana increased their lead as veteran midfielder Jermaine Seoposenwe found the back of the net in the 17th minute.

Seoposenwe registered her brace in the 36th when she beat Sedilame from close range after she benefited from a defensive mistake by Gaofetoge Lone. 

Botswana pulled one back in the 41st minute from the effort of Duduetsang Radiakanyo, who unleashed a powerful shot inside the box to beat Banyana goalkeeper Swart. 

The finish was a thing of beauty from Radiakanyo but credit must also go to Bosija, who provided the assist with a long-range goal-kick that caught the South African defence napping. 

Botswana, who came back from the break with more purpose, scored their second goal through Phenyoyaone Moloi, who received a defence-splitting pass from the midfield and beat Swart.