25 October 2024 – Youthful COSAFA Banyana Banyana secured their second win in the regional tournament after they beat Eswatini 3-0 at the Isaac Wolfson Stadium on Friday.
Goals from Nobahle Mdelwa, goalkeeper Jessica Williams and Ayesha Moosa handed coach Maud Khumalo’s charges a comfortable victory and saw the Sasol-sponsored South Africans climb to the top of Group A.
The game started with Eswatini trying to intimidate the hosts with shots from long range, but the South Africans quickly changed things around and began to dominate 10 minutes into the game.
With just ten minutes before half time, Mdelwa found the back of the net with an assist from Moosa to put the hosts in the lead. Goalkeeper Williams then sent the Isaac Wolfson Stadium into wild celebrations when she found the back of the net with a brilliant free kick just 10 minutes into the second half. Moosa put the game beyond Eswatini when she delivered the final blow just before full-time to make it 3-0.
Khumalo was impressed by the confidence and composure that was displayed by Williams when she accepted the responsibility to take the free kick from distance.
“It was the confidence in her and when we looked at the weaknesses of Eswatini, we saw that the goalkeeper has certain weaknesses, and we had to capitalize on them. The technical team said if we get set-pieces, let’s see if we can take the goalkeeper, that is when I called Jessica and said she should take the set-piece because during our sessions in training, we saw that she’s got a good kick and a great technique”.
Khumalo also spoke about the importance of giving other players chance to showcase their talent.
“Sometimes as a coach you must take risks, but at the same time you must know what you want to achieve out of the game because this is a tournament. Then if we go through to the final, we’re going to be playing five games. So, you don’t want to shock the players when you didn’t give them a chance to play.
“When you send out players in these kinds of situations, you need to see whether they are comfortable or not so that you know when they play the next game. You must know how you manage those players because it is only 90 minutes.”
Eswatini coach Bongani Makhukhula was disappointed after the result.
“Hard luck indeed. I did mention in the pre-match interview that South Africa might beat us, but we are going to give a good account of ourselves, and it is exactly what happened. Looking at how we conceded those goals, there isn’t much to write home about, technically or otherwise.”
COSAFA Banyana Banyana face the Seychelles in their final group match on Monday.