South Africa qualified for the 2022 AWCON thanks to a draw against Algeria. Although Banyana Banyana were held to a 1-1 draw but that away goal was enough to see them through, as they had a two-goal advantage from the first leg that was played on February 18th in Johannesburg.
Refiloe Jane was the captain then, and though she wasn’t the captain for the second game, she still played a vital part in the win. The midfielder was the conductor of her team’s orchestra and directed traffic in the midfield, along with making crucial interceptions to disrupt their opponent’s play.
South Africa were plagued by poor finishing during the first half of the match, as they could have easily scored three or four goals. The team pressed relentlessly throughout the game and finally found their breakthrough in the 61st minute. After a penalty was awarded to the team after a handball call, midfielder Linda Motlhalo stepped up to the spot and coolly slotted the ball home.
And with that, South Africa qualified for this summer’s tournament in Morocco. Banyana Banyana will join hosts Morocco, defending champions Nigeria, as well as Cameroon, Zambia, Burundi, Burkina Faso, Tunisia, Togo, Senegal, Botswana, and Uganda as the final twelve teams set to duke it out this summer. Previously only contested by eight teams, the 2022 AWCON has now been extended to twelve competing nations.
The tournament will commence on June 2nd in Morocco, with the final being played on July 23rd at a soon to be confirmed venue.
