By Michael Madyira
Banyana Banyana kept alive hopes of returning to the Olympics after forcing a 1-1 draw with DR Congo in a second-round qualifying match away at the Stade des Martyrs de la Pentecote on Wednesday.
Turkey-based Grace Mfwamba thrust the hosts ahead five minutes before halftime before South Africa captain of the day Thembi Kgatlana equalised three minutes into the second stanza.
Desiree Ellis’s girls will now host the Central Africans for Monday’s second leg while enjoying a crucial away goal as they look to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
After arriving in Kinshasa without the injured trio of skipper Refiloe Jane, Jermaine Seposenwe and Bambanani Mbane, Ellis handed Amogelang Motau a rare start while Linda Motlhalo was surprisingly benched.
The hosts started the match on a threatening note and with just nine minutes on the clock, goalkeeper Kaylin Swart was invited to Merveille Kanjinga.
Then on 20 minutes, Swart was back again to pull a brilliant save off Mfwamba as DR Congo matched the African champions pound for pound.
It took 32 minutes for Banyana to have a clear goal-scoring opportunity and it came from Wendy Shongwe’s free kick, forcing the hosts’ goalkeeper Fideline Ngoy to a good save.
DR Congo were finally rewarded towards the halftime break when they drew first blood through Mfwamba who easily beat Shongwe and then Swart with a well-struck volley.
But just after the restart, Banyana responded when Kgatlana was fed by substitute Nichole Michael to make it one apiece.
DR Congo kept on making it hard for Banyana with end-to-end action being witnessed.
Kgatlana almost thrust South Africa ahead with 13 minutes to go but was let down by her finishing.
It then ended in a stalemate as Banyana pushed to return to the Olympics where they last featured in 2016.
Pictured above: Banyana Banyana players.
Image source: Banyana Banyana
