2022 AWCON Qualifier: South Africa on the right track after home triumph

  2022 AWCON Qualifier: South Africa on the right track after home triumph   By Our Reporter   South Africa are on the verge of booking their ticket to the TotalEnergies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco 2022 after defeating Algeria 2-0 in the first leg, last round match at Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg on Friday. South Africa cruised past Mozambique in the first round with a 13-0 aggregate win, while Algeria eased past Sudan in a 14-0 first leg triumph before observing a walkover after second leg cancellation to reach the second round last October.   The Fennecs started the match on a high constantly breaking through the Banyana defence but only for their efforts not to lend on target. Imene Merrouche’s third-minute chance was the only convincing chance at goal for Algeria in the first half.   Linda Motlhalo of South Africa challenged by Roselene Khezami of Algeria during the 2022 WAFCON Qualifier match between South Africa and Algeria on the 18 February 2022 at Orlando Stadium AC Milan's Refiloe Jane had a chance to give the home side a lead only to shoot wide and Sibulele Holweni followed with hers three minutes late only for her to suffer the same fate.   Banyana Banyana continued to use their home ground advantage to knock until the 40th minute in which Hilda Magaia opened the scoring from a corner kick taken by Kholosa Biyana.   The five-time African vice-champions came back stronger in the second half to torment their visitors as Thembi Kgatlana, Magaia, Linda Motlhalo and Nomvula Kgoale all attempted to extend the lead.   Spain based Kgatlana finally put her name on the score sheet on the 89th minute to give South Africa a two-goal cushion.   Hildah Magaia of South Africa celebrates goal during the 2022 WAFCON Qualifier match between South Africa and Algeria on the 18 February 2022 at Orlando Stadium Ikram Adjaji was the only player who attempted to put Fennecs on the score sheet in the second half however Bambanani Mbane was able to save to keep the hosts in the game.   With the first leg lead, the South Africans will head to Algiers with the hope of guaranteeing the ticket in the second leg on 23 February, while the Algerians will look to turn the table around.   WHAT THEY SAY   Desiree Ellis (South Africa coach)   They are two nil down, they will be different [in the second leg]. We have to make sure we don’t concede because we will always create the chances. If they do open the game up, the speed of our players up front and the quick rotation of the ball would create more openings. If we keep a clean sheet and score the first goal then you can say the tie is almost over