Thembi Kgatlana

• South
  Africa’s senior women’s national football team beat the Democratic
  Republic of Congo 3-1 on aggregate to move a step closer to qualifying for
  the Olympics.
• Banyana
  registered a hard-fought 2-0 victory in the home leg of the two-legged
  second round.
• They
  will face either Botswana or Tanzania in the penultimate round to be one
  of two African representatives at the Games. 

The pintsized Thembi Kgatlana flexed her broad
shoulders to carry Banyana Banyana to the penultimate round of the Olympics
qualifiers with a 3-1 win on aggregate over the Democratic Republic of Congo
(DRC). 

Pikinini, as Kgatlana is nicknamed due to her small frame, showed her
big heart by scoring both goals in the 2-0 win at Orlando Stadium on Monday in
a frustrating afternoon under cold and wet conditions. The scoreline might make
it seem like it was a comfortable win for Banyana, but it was far from it, as
the side missed numerous chances to demolish a DRC side that was there for the
taking. 

A goalless draw would have seen Banyana go
through after Kgatlana was again the hero in DRC, helping Banyana score an
important away goal to draw 1-1 last week. But the longer the match stayed
goalless, the more frustrated Banyana became, and the more confident DRC grew –
especially playing against the reigning African champions. 

It looked like the visitors would steal a win
in the dying moments of the game, such is the wicked sense of humour of
football when it comes to punishing teams that don’t take their chances.
Kgatlana ensured that didn’t happen with a late brace to seal the result. Both
goals were created by Nicole Michael, who was brilliant throughout the
encounter.

Banyana had a firm grip on the match when
coach Desiree Ellis brought in Kholosana Biyana for Hildah Magaia just before
the hour mark. Biyana bossed the midfield, dictating terms for Banyana and also
allowing her team to attack with more confidence. She started the move that was
finished by Kgatlana to break the deadlock. 

Before Biyana’s introduction, the
reigning African champions had met their match. The team sheet and organisers
might have been under the impression that Banyana were playing against the DRC
– but Banyana’s real opponents were themselves. The team tripped over
themselves, primarily due to their poor finishing. 

It’s a problem that Ellis is familiar with and
will have to improve if Banyana is to be one of the two African representatives
at the Olympics in Paris next year. Banyana will face either Botswana or
Tanzania in the third round. Tanzania will take a 2-0 lead from the first leg
when they meet with Botswana on Tuesday. 

If Banyana advances from the third round, they
are likely to face Nigeria in the fight for the right to represent Africa at
the Games. Nigeria are the strongest side on the other side of the draw.
Banyana have a good record against the Super Falcons in their last meetings. To
keep that record and, more importantly, be competitive at the Games should they
reach that stage, they will need to improve their attack and self-destruction
tendencies.