Banyana Banyana's Olympic dream goes up in flames

by Bertin Basson

Tuesday Sep 03, 2019. 22:00

South Africa suffered a shock defeat to neighbours Botswana in a second round 2020 CAF Women’s Olympic qualifier to see their hopes of jetting to Japan next year go up in flames.

Banyana Banyana – who qualified for the most recent Olympic Games in Brazil – were clear favourites to progress in a match-up against their Southern African rivals, but after 210 minutes of football without a single goal over two leg, the game would be decided from the spot.

Botswana duly emerged victorious, trumping their counterparts 3-2 on penalties at Orlando Stadium on Tuesday evening to book a two-legged third round clash against Zambia.

Elsewhere, Nigeria – who are now clear favourites to take up the single automatic qualifying spot for next year’s Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan – beat Algeria 1-0 in Lagos thanks to a goal from Lamina Oshoala to seal a 3-0 aggregate win.

Cameroon, Ghana and Ivory Coast also booked their passage into the third round of qualifying on Tuesday, joining Kenya and DR Congo.

The third round of qualifying will commence later this month.

Full List of Results from Tuesday:

*Cameroon 0-0 Ethiopia (1-1 on aggregate)

*Nigeria 1-0 Algeria (3-0 on aggregate)

*Ghana 2-0 Gabon (5-0 on aggregate)

Mali 0-0 *Ivory Coast (0-3 on aggregate)

South Africa 0-0 *Botswana (0-0 on aggregate, Botswana won 3-2 on penalties.)