Banyana stumble in pre-Olympic friendly
The Banyana Banyana South African women’s football side hit a bump in Botafogo, going down 4-1 to New Zealand in a practice match.
It’s the second time SA’s women have played New Zealand, the last was in 2011.
Playing at the 51-year-old Estadio Luso Brasileiro, alternatively known as the Arena Botafogo, the women trailed 2-0 at halftime and despite pulling one back with some nifty work from Jermaine Seoposenwe, conceded another two after the break as the
afternoon started to turn gloomy.
It took seven minutes before keeper Roxy Barker was first tested and nine minutes later the Kiwis had their first goal as Hanna Wilkinson’s looped effort evaded Barker in goal.
Seventeen minutes later after Leandra Smeda had blasted over the top, it was the world’s 17th ranked side New Zealand who went 2-0 up after a ping-pong saga in the box left veteran striker Amber Hearn with an empty goal to strike into.
The islanders could have been 3-0 up before halftime but another fierce effort hit the bar and went over.
The second half saw the 54th-ranked South Africans coming out fighting and after another characteristically strong run down the left by Smeda, the cross was missed by Octavia Nogwanye.
