Banyana Secure First-Leg Win Over Lesotho
Leandra Smeda
Leandra Smeda's first-half strike was enough to hand Banyana Banyana a 1-0 win over Lesotho in the first leg of their Women's Africa Cup of Nations qualifier. The winner of the tie will secure a ticket to Ghana for the 2018 Afcon. The home side got off to a positive start as Leandra Smeda opened the scoring after just nine minutes. Four minutes later, Smeda had a chance to double Banyana's lead but she failed to direct her header on target from a corner. Lesotho, meanwhile, struggled pose a serious threat going forward as Banyana goalkeeper Roxanne Barker endured a quiet opening 35 minutes. Barker was called into action shortly before the halftime break as she did well to thwart Rabale's goal-bound effort to ensure the visitors went into the break in the lead. Ten minutes into the second half, Desiree Ellis opted for her first change as Zanele Nhlapho replaced Regina Mogolola. Jermaine Seoposenwe carved out a chance for the visitors after 75 minutes but she saw her strike from distance saved by goalkeeper Thuto Maifo. Neither side could carve out another clear-cut opening in the final stages of the second half as Banyana held on for the slim first-leg win. The second leg will be played at Dr Petrus Molemela stadium on Sunday afternoon.
