African Women's Championship Third/Fourth Playoff
Result: South Africa 0-1 Cote d'Ivoire
Date: 25 October 2014
Venue: Sam Nujoma Stadium
Banyana Banyana failed to qualify for the World Cup after they lost 1-0 to Cote d'Ivorie in the 3rd/4th Playoff at the African Women's Championship.
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It is expected to be Vera Pauw's last match in charge, who after the game said that her contract was now up. The Dutch coach will be extremely disappointed with this loss, and her team's performance at the tournament, where apart from their last group match, struggled to find their rhythm.
Despite dominating much of the game, it was Cote d'Ivoire who sealed their spot to Canada, with a late goal to break the South African girls' hearts.
Banyana Banyana had the upper hand in the first half, but could not create clear goal scoring chances.
Both teams continued to attack each other with Sana Mollo giving Ivory Coast's defence a headache with her pace.
Mamello Makhabane was very impressive in the midfield where South Africa looked to be having an edge over their opponents.
There were no goals at half time with South Africa looking the better of the two sides.
The second half saw Ivory Coast making changes as both team searched for the goal that would win the match.
The changes seemed to be working for the West African side as they took control of the match in the second half and looked like the would get the goal, but Noko Matlou, was very solid for Banyana Banyana and on more than two occasions made crucial tackles to keep her team in the game.
Banyana Banyana fought their way back to take control of the match, but failed to combine in attack as both teams struggled to break the deadlock.
The goal finally came in the 86th minute as Ida punished South Africa to hand Ivory Coast a late win, after Banyana Banyana failed to deal with a corner kick.
Portia Modise and Matlou both had chances to get Banyana Banyana back into the game and make it a dramatic end to the match, but their efforts could not find the back of the net.
How they lined up:
Banyana XI: Philadelphia Mndaweni, Nothando Vilakazi, Noko Matlou, Janine Van Wyk, Mamello Makhabane, Lebohang Ramalepe, Sanah Mollo, Nompumelelo Nyandeni, Amanda Dlamini, Portia Modise, Smeda Leandra
Cote D'Ivoire: Ange Marie Thiamele, Fatou Coulibaly, Djelika Coulibaly, Josephine Leyo, Jeanne Nadege, Ines Tia, Rebecca Amoin, Rebecca Ida, Estelle Nahi, Christine Lohoues. Coach : Clementine Toure
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