Banyana Banyana have qualified for 2022 Africa Women Cup of Nations with a 3-1 aggregate win over Algeria on Wednesday evening.
Result: Algeria 1-1 South Africa (SA won 3-1 on agg.)
Date: 23 February 2022
Venue: Stade Omar Hamadi
Banyana coach Desiree Ellis made two changes to the side that won 2-0 in the first-leg, as she recalled Janine Van Wyk and Gabriela Salgado while Atletico Madrid forward Thembi Kgatlana led the attack.
Ellis' charges had a bright start to the encounetr, creating chances in the opening exchanges but they were not clinical in front of goal.
Algeria grew in the game midway through the first stanza and thought they were ahead just before the half-hour mark after finding the back of the net but their goal was disallowed for a foul on goalkeeper Ayanda Dlamini.
The pressure finally paid off for the home side as Sylia Koui eventually broke the deadlock on the stroke of halftime, making it 2-1 on aggregate in the tie.
Banyana were weathering the storm in the early stages of the second stanza, but received a lifeline just after the hour-mark after they were awarded a penalty for a handball in the box.
Linda Motlhalo stepped up and made no mistake from her spot-kick, as she levelled matters on the night and restored a two-goal cushion for South Africa on aggregate.
Banyana managed the game well in the closing stages, as they held on to claim a 3-1 aggregate win and booked their spot in the AWCON tournament set to take place in Morocco in July.
