South Africa end Tanzania’s Olympic dream

• South Africa beat Tanzania home and away
• They progressed to the last qualification round with a 4-0 aggregate win
• Zambia edged out Ghana in the other tie

South Africa’s Banyana Banyana have moved one step closer to qualifying for the Olympic Games in Paris, after edging out Tanzania 1-0 in their penultimate round return leg in Mpumalanga. The victory at home gave South Africa a 4-0 aggregate victory, having won the first leg in Dar es Salaam 3-0.

South Africa Skipper Thembi Kgatlana scored the lone goal at home in the return leg to hoist the side into the final qualification round where a date with Nigeria awaits.

It was a rusty start for the hosts, but they visibly grew in confidence as the game progressed. Despite a few chances created in the opening period, the two sides could not find a breakthrough and the match was still goalless at the halftime break.

The elusive goal came in the 57th minute when a Kholosa Biyana free kick found Kgatlana, who calmly slotted home the opener to give the Tanzanians a big mountain to climb.

The visitors displayed a great fighting spirit and tested South Africa goalkeeper Kaylin Swart a few times, but none of their chances materialized into the equalizer they so desperately sought.

The home side managed to jealously guard the result, and will now switch their attention to Nigeria’s Super Falcons, with the final round of qualification scheduled for between April 1-9.

South Africa joined by Zambia in last round 

Zambia’s Barbra Banda in action. PHOTO/FAZ

Meanwhile,  Captain Barbra Banda scored a late freekick as South Africa’s neighbors Zambia came from behind to draw 3-3 with Ghana and progress to the final round of qualification for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games with a 4-3 aggregate victory.

Zambia had won the first leg 1-0 in Accra, and the Ghanaian Black Stars had threatened to turn the tables as they led 3-2 at the stroke of 90 minutes. However, Banda showed her leadership skills with a peach of a goal to level the scores and send the Copper Queens to the final round, where a date with Morocco awaits them.

With a 1-0 advabntage from the first leg, Zambia knew they only needed to avoid defeat to make it into the next round, and they had an even better start at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola when Banda broke the deadlock after 11 minutes to take the tally 2-0 on aggregate.

However, Ghana showed a never say die spirit and they levelled in the 21st minute through Gifty Assifuah before Doris Boaduwaa scored the second to give them a 2-1 lead on the night and tie the game 2-2 on aggregate.

With this scoreline, the Ghanaians would qualify and that gave them some impetus and they took the lead into halftime.

Zambia draw back level

Zambia’s Barbra Banda celebrates her late equalizer.

However, Zambia came back determined to get back level in the second half and they did so on the hour mark through Kabange Mupopo.

But once again, Ghana’s spirit was not shadowed as they went ahead in the 65th minute through Azumah Bugri.

When it looked as thoigh qualification was evading them at home, Zambia found a way back through a freekick at the stroke of 90 minutes which Banda expertly tucked away to send the stadium into frenzy.

At the last Olympic Games in Tokyo, Zambia was Africa’s sole representative, and they were eliminated in the group stages, only earning a point and finishing third in Group F. This time though, they want to do better, though they have to put in the work to ensure they qualify.

In the final qualification matches, Zambia face Morocco, while South Africa will take on Nigeria’s Super Falcons.