Banyana Banyana will now play Uganda in the semifinals of the Cosafa Women’s Championships after a 6-0 win against Malawi in the last match of the group stages on Monday, at the Wolfson Stadium in Kwazakhele.
Ahead of the tournament, Banyana coach Desiree Ellis said their group was not an easy one and they would not take any team lightly.
The national side sailed through the group stages after beating Madagascar 2-1 in their opening match, followed by a 1-0 victory against Botswana.
They finished their group matches on a high note with a win against Malawi to top group A with nine points from three games, progressing to the next round.
Banyana are the defending champions after winning the tournament in 2017.
They also won in 2002, 2006 and 2008.
Ellis said the pressure was on the team to defend their trophy, especially because they are playing at home.
Meanwhile, a 2-1 victory against Zimbabwe saw Uganda book themselves a place in the semifinals.
Ahead of the Malawi game, Khanya Xesi said the fixture was extremely important.
She said Banyana would do everything in their power to get the full points and score many goals, which is exactly what happened on Monday.
The star of the game was Linda Motlhalo, who scored a hat-trick.
Banyana Banyana were fired up from the word go and took the game to the visitors.
Malawi had no strikes at goal throughout the game.
The first goal came as early as 11 minutes after the referee blew the whistle.
Motlhalo converted a goal from the edge of the box after the ball was set up by Thembi Kgatlana.
A minute later, Kgaelebane Mohlakoana also tried her luck at goal, but her strike went over the crossbar.
Banyana kept on knocking on Malawi’s door in an attempt to get a second goal.
A mistake by Malawi’s goalkeeper Martha Banda saw Xesi sneak in the second goal for Banyana.
The national side kept on pressing to extend their lead.
Thembi Kgatlana had beaten the goalkeeper and had the ball posts to herself, but her shot went wide.
The half-ime score was 2-0. Banyana came out oozing confidence in the second half, with Mohlakoana scoring their third goal minutes later.
Soon afterwards, Xesi scored the fourth goal – her third of the tournament – for Banyana.
SA kept Malawi’s defence on their toes throughout the second half.
Motlhalo scored two more goals just before stoppage time.
Other results: Eswatini 1 Namibia 3; Zimbabwe 2 Uganda 1