Soccer
Banyana Banyana secure a great start to their Turkish Women's Cup campaign─── KAYLA BARKER 14:43 Sun, 19 Feb 2023
On Saturday evening, the 18th of February, Banyana Banyana got their Turkish Cup campaign off to a good start with a 3-0 win against Uzbekistan at the Emirhan Sports Complex in Antalya.
Although there was uncertainty over the team’s participation in the tournament due to the deadly and devastating earthquake that rocked Turkey and Syria last week, the bulk of the squad arrived in Turkey on Wednesday this week in preparation of their inaugural campaign in the Turkish Women’s Cup. The team’s big guns, namely Refiloe Jane, Linda Motlhalo, Noko Matlou, Noxolo Cesane and Hildah Magaia as well as Jermaine Seoposenwe arrived on Thursday from their respective overseas clubs.
The tournament has 10 teams participating and while South Africa would have played Turkey in their opening game on Wednesday, their game on Saturday evening against Uzbekistan was the one to open their campaign.
A 3-0 win started their campaign off strongly and definitely came with ease to the South Africans as they claimed all 3 goals within the first 25 minutes of the game.
Banyana’s Jermaine Seoposenwe stunned first as she claimed the first goal in the 10th minute. Shortly after, South Africa claimed an own goal from Uzbekistan player Shokhida Tojiddinova in the 13th minute as she had the last touch off of Jermaine Seoposenwe’s shot.
Midfielder, Noxolo Cesane, secured Banyana’s third goal in the 25th minute taking the team to a 3-0 half-time lead and ultimately their winning score.
The second-half saw Uzbekistan fighting back but their efforts did not bring forth results as South Africa remained in control of the game keeping the score on their 3-0 lead.
Banyana Banyana made a bold statement with their first win of the tournament by claiming an early victory. Going into the tournament, Banyana’s plan was to make use of their Turkish Women’s Cup campaign in order to prepare for the upcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
With a win from the get go Banyana will step into the next game with confidence and another step closer to being World Cup ready.
South Africa will face Slovenia in their second game of the tournament on Tuesday the 21st of February at the Emirhan Sports Complex in Antalya.
Kayla Barker/OFM Sport
