5 Goals Across Two Legs! Super-Sub Donnelly Powers Banyana Into Next Round
Banyana Banyana completed a seamless second-round task in their 2028 LA Olympic Games qualifying campaign, thumping Madagascar 3-0 at Toyota Stadium on Tuesday night to secure a dominant 7-0 aggregate victory.
Following a 4-0 triumph in Friday’s nominal “away” fixture—hosted in South Africa due to Madagascar lacking CAF and FIFA-approved venues—Banyana left no doubt in the return leg.
After a goalless opening half, South Africa broke the deadlock shortly after the restart. Restored star forward Thembi Kgatlana, who was rested in the opening match, created space inside the penalty box before laying off a precise pass to Gabriela Salgado, who calmly slotted into an open net.
Banyana doubled their advantage in the 66th minute. Striker Ronnel Donnelly—who bagged a landmark hat-trick in the first leg—entered off the bench and connected cleanly with Kgatlana’s cross to extend the aggregate lead to 6-0.
The Durban-born marksman completed her brace in the 76th minute, side-footing home a low cross from Noxolo Cesane to round out her five-goal tally across the two legs.
With the tie firmly out of reach, South Africa eased their tempo in the closing stages, comfortably seeing out the victory before an appreciative crowd in the City of Roses.
