Banyana brush Algeria aside and grab advantage in Awcon qualifier

Durban — Thembi Kgatlana rounded off the scoring as Banyana Banyana put one foot in African Women Cup of Nations (Awcon) qualification with a 2-0 victory against Algeria at the Orlando Stadium on Friday afternoon.

Coach Desiree Ellis’ side took a deserved lead through a set-piece in the 40th minute.

Hilda Magaia rose highest in a packed penalty area and guided the ball into goalkeeper Chloe Yamina's open net to give the home side the breakthrough.

The moment Thembi Kgatlana wrapped it up!Banyana Banyana thump Algeria 2-0 in the first leg of their #AWCONQualifiers encounter.#Limitless pic.twitter.com/hWY3bS7Uwx

Banyana’s shining star, Thembi grabbed the second and final goal of the match in the 90th minute.

Second half substitute Gabriel Salgado broke down the wing of the Algeria defence and found Kgatlana with a pinpoint cross at the far post, the ex African player of year smashed her effort first time and gave the home side a 2-0 cushion.

The national women’s team lined up without inspirational captain, Janine Van Wyk but the return of Kgatlana, Refiloe Jane and Noko Matlou, who was making her 160th appearance, gave the home side an added boost in quality.

After Banyana dominated possession in the opening exchanges, the away side almost took a surprising lead in the 6th minute.

After enterprising work by Metz fullback, Belkhiter Morgan, she did incredibly well to float a ball into the feet of number 10 , Merrouche Imene who subsequently miscued her efford wide with just the goalkeeper, Andile Dlamini, to beat.

Banyana’s best chance of the half came in the 32nd minute after confusion in the Algeria box.

Fullback, Lebohang Ramalepe floated a ball into the penalty area, after confusion between the two Algeria centre backs,