#TotalAWCON18: South Africa storm to victory to keep semis hopes alive

South Africa smashed Equatorial Guinea 7-1 in their Group B clash on Wednesday at the Cape Coast Ghana stadium, eyeing a spot at the semis of the Total Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, Ghana 2018.

Chrestinah Kgatlana inspired the Banyana Banyana to keep their 100 per cent run intact with Two goals and two assists and was named the Woman of the match.

Linda Motlhalo scored from the spot to give South Africa the lead in the 20th minute after Dorine Chuigoue handled the ball inside the box.

Nompumelelo Nyandeni added the second two minutes later after connecting a pass from Kgatlana.

Equatorial Guinea responded on the stroke of halftime when Elena Obono Oyana capitalized on a mistake in the South African defence to score.

Banyana Banyana increased their advantage in the 56th minute through substitute Refiloe Jane who tapped in an easy pass from Kgatlana.

Kgatlana completed her brace three minutes later to increase the tally after rounding off the goalkeeper in both goals.

Amanda Mthandi and Jermaine Seoposenwe inflicted more pain on the Ecuatoguineana by getting their names on the score sheet in the 76th and 79th minutes.

Elsewhere, Defending Champions Nigeria thrashed Zambia with an emphatic 4-0 victory to make amends from their opening game slumber at the Cape Coast stadium on Wednesday.

The win gives the Super Falcons a new lifeline as they keep quest alive to defend the tournament and make it to the FIFA Women’s World Cup next year in France.

However, Banyana Banyana top the pack with six points with Nigeria and Zambia trailing on three points each and Equatorial Guinea at the bottom pointless.

Total Woman of the Match: Chrestinah Thembi Kgatlana

Meanwhile, Banyana Banyan beat Nigeria in their group B opener 1-0 at the same stadium on Sunday, November 18 while Zambia proved too strong for Equatorial Guinea later on the same day.

A draw for South Africa against Zambia on Saturday will be enough for them to reach the next stage of the competition but Nigeria must win against Equatorial Guinea if they are to progress this weekend.

STATS | Check out the full-time stats! Which team had the better overall performance? #TotalAWCON18 #EQGRSA pic.twitter.com/Aq30bmuTkj

— Total Women's Africa Cup of Nations (@CAF_AWCON) November 21, 2018

GOOOOAAAL | Amarachi Okoronkwo scores a goal for Nigeria. Nigeria – Zambia 4-0 #TotalAWCON18 #NGAZAM pic.twitter.com/tucuoTOPpQ

— Total Women's Africa Cup of Nations (@CAF_AWCON) November 21, 2018