Banyana Make Statement with Solid WAFCON Win Over Ghana

(The Post News)– South Africa’s Banyana Banyana kicked off their Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title defense with a confident 2-0 victory over Ghana in their Group C clash at Honor Stadium in Oujda on Monday evening.

Banyana Banyana took control early, and after some initial Ghanaian pressure, they found their rhythm. The breakthrough came in the 28th minute when Nxolo Cesane was brought down in the box. Following a VAR check, Linda Motlhalo stepped up and calmly slotted the penalty past Ghana’s goalkeeper, Cynthia Konlan.

Six minutes later, Banyana doubled their lead. A perfectly weighted pass from Lebogang Ramalepe found Jermaine Seoposenwe, who finished with precision at the near post to make it 2-0.

Ghana looked to respond before the break, but Andile Dlamini denied Grace Asantewaa’s powerful shot with a sharp dive to her right. Banyana carried a two-goal cushion into halftime and came out pushing for a third. Suppose we nearly added another but fired straight at the goalkeeper.

Ghana came agonizingly close to a lifeline twice, first through Alice Kusi, whose long-range effort smacked the crossbar, and later when Evelyn Badu’s close-range header also hit the woodwork.

Despite the late pressure, Banyana stayed composed and secured the win, taking all three points and a strong first step towards defending their continental crown.