MUKWIMA CHILALA writes
@SunZambian
THE Zambia women national soccer team will face Botswana in the next round of 2020 Olympic qualifiers after the Tswanas beat South Africa 3-2 on post-match penalties to progress to the next round of qualifiers.
Banyana Banyana’s hopes of qualifying for the 2020 Olympic Games were ended after they suffered defeat to Botswana in the second leg of their second-round qualifier on Tuesday night.
The sides came into the encounter evenly poised after the first leg encounter ended goalless in Botswana four days ago.
Banyana coach Desiree Ellis only opted for two changes for the second leg as Nothando Vilakazi and Rhoda Mulaudzi made way for Leandra Smeda and Busiswe Ndimeni.
After a relatively quiet opening, the visitors were nearly gifted the opener after 22 minutes following an error from goalkeeper Amanda Dlamini, but the ball was eventually cleared.
The hosts managed to carve out a couple chances of their own as Lebohang Ramalepe went close in the 32nd minute before Jermain Seoposenwe saw her strike turned away by Botswana goalkeeper Sedilame Bosija.
Banyana picked up from where they left off in the first half and and created a couple more openings, although second-half substitute Noxolo Cesane and Seoposenwe were unable to capatilise in the opening 15 minutes.
When it looked as if Banyana would beat Bosija, the woodwork came to the visitors’ rescue after Mamello Makhabane’s free-kick crashed against the crossbar with 17 minutes to play.
As neither side could find a breakthrough goal in the latter stages of the second half, another 30 minutes was needed at Orlando Stadium and Banyana’s constant pressure, the deadlock was not broken.
The clash eventually went to a penalty shoot-out, where it was Botswana who held their nerve to secure 3-2 triumph and a spot in the next round of qualifiers.
The Zebras of Botswana will now face Zambia’s Copper Queens on September 30 in Lusaka in the first leg of the second round.
The winner of the Zambia vs Botswana tie will face the winners of the Ghana Vs Kenya in the third and final round of the qualifiers.
CAF has 1.5 places at the 12-team Tokyo football tournament.
Japan qualify as hosts while the other 11 come through a qualification campaign.
