Dlamini Shines As Banyana Banyana Advance To WAFCON Semi-Final

Andile Dlamini was the undeniable star of the show, saving two crucial penalties as Banyana Banyana defeated Senegal 4-1 in a thrilling penalty shootout to reach the WAFCON semi-finals at Honneur Stadium in Oujda on Saturday.

The match remained a goalless draw after 120 minutes of intense football, setting the stage for Dlamini, who was named Goalkeeper of the Tournament in 2022, to step up and deliver her heroics.

With this victory, South Africa’s defending champions will now face formidable rivals Nigeria in the semi-final. This win also marked a historic moment, as it was the first time Banyana Banyana have triumphed in a penalty shootout.

Despite Senegal’s physically imposing players, Banyana Banyana held their own, settling into the contest first and controlling both the tempo and territory of the match. Jermaine Seoposenwe had a golden opportunity to score in the first half when Senegal’s goalkeeper Adji Ndiaye fumbled a trap, but Ndiaye recovered quickly to stop the goal-bound shot, saving herself from an embarrassing moment. Banyana had another chance from a free-kick just before halftime on the edge of the box, but Karabo Dhlamini’s shot was tame and easily gathered by Ndiaye.

With no goals in the first half, captain Refiloe Jane came close with a powerful shot from outside the box just minutes into the second half, though it ultimately went wide. As the ninety minutes concluded without a goal, the game proceeded to extra time.

However, just before the first half of extra time began, Amogelang Motau was forced off the pitch in tears due to a knee injury. She had only entered the game in the second half of regulation time. During extra time, Lebohang Ramalepe received a perfect pass from Refiloe Jane and slotted it into the near post, but she was unfortunately ruled inches offside, and the goal was disallowed.

Hildah Magaia, who scored twice in Banyana Banyana’s 2022 WAFCON triumph, beat her marker and combined perfectly with Seoposenwe in a give-and-go play, but Ndiaye palmed her shot away. In that same attack, Magaia appeared to have been clipped inside the box, prompting a VAR review by referee Shahenda Saad Ali, but she upheld her initial decision of no penalty.

Senegal appeared to run out of ideas, with Banyana clearly on top during the extra time period. However, no goals were scored during extra time, leading to the decisive penalty shootout where Banyana held their nerve to win 4-1.

Karabo Dhlamini, Martha Makhubela, Gabriela Salgado, and veteran Bambanani Mbane all converted their penalties, with Mbane powerfully sending the final spot-kick into the roof of the net. Senegal’s only successful penalty came from Mama Diop, as Dlamini heroically saved attempts from Nguenar Ndiaye and Meta Kande, securing Banyana Banyana’s place in the semi-finals.