Banyana crash out of Tokyo 2020 Olympic qualifiers

Banyana Banyana went down 3-2 on penalties to Botswana in a Tokyo 2020 Olympic second round, the second-leg qualifier at the Orlando Stadium in Soweto on Tuesday evening.

This result eliminated the South Africans from the Olympic qualification campaign with the match ending goalless after 90 minutes of play plus 30 minutes of extra time.

Missed spot kicks by Lebohang Ramalepe, Mamello Makhabane and team captain Refiloe Jane, proved to be the home team’s downfall in the penalty shootout.

Following the goalless draw against the same opposition in Gabarone on Friday, Banyana coach Desiree Ellis made two changes to the South African starting team.

Leandra Smeda and Busisiwe Ndimeni took the places of Nothando Vilakazi and Rhoda Mulaudzi respectively.

Banyana had the better of the scoring chances in the first half with Seoposenwe and Ndimeni failing to find the back of the visitors’ net.

The hosts were fortunate not to concede in the 22nd minute when goalkeeper Andile Dlamini failed to hang on to a shot on goal from a free-kick, with the ball ending up going out for a corner.

In the second half, Banyana again should have put the match beyond Botswana, with Jane coming close to breaking the deadlock with a powerful shot in the 86th minute.

However, her effort went just wide of the Botswana upright goalpost.

In partnership with ANA ana Sports Leo