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Sports Reporter
South Africa 1- 0 Zimbabwe
A SECOND half goal by Refiloe Jane was all Banyana Banyana needed to beat the Mighty Warriors at Makhulong Stadium in Tembisa, Johannesburg, in an international friendly encounter yesterday. Zimbabwe and South Africa are the two African women football representatives at this year’s Olympic Games.
The match presented the two Southern Africa teams with an opportunity to fine-tune their preparations for the global showcase scheduled for August in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Banyana Banyana’s goal came in the 61st minute through Jane when she received a cross from Lebogang Ramalepe and then beat Zimbabwe’s goalkeeper, Lindiwe Magwede.
The two teams had last met in 2014, in July at Rufaro in a friendly match that ended 0-0 before reviving their rivalry yesterday.
This was the Mighty Warriors’ first friendly match in their preparations and there is still a lot of work that needs to be done ahead of the Olympic Games.
Mighty Warriors coach, Shadreck Mlauzi had indicated, going into yesterday’s game, that they will be using the encounter to assess other players who have not been regulars in the senior women side.
And some of the players that featured in yesterday’s game include striker Sibonginkosi Nleya, defenders Nobukhosi Ncube and Danai Bhobho.
While Zimbabwe will be making their maiden appearance at the quadrennial sport event, South Africa will be making their second appearance.
They qualified for the 2012 Games in London.
After yesterday’s game Banyana Banyana are now preparing for two friendly matches against Netherlands in Holland on June 4 and 7 as they continue with their preparations.
The Mighty Warriors are expected back in the country today. Zimbabwe will battle it out in Group F against Canada, Australia and Germany while South Africa are in group E against Brazil, China and Sweden.
Online Reporter