Banyana Banyana pile more misery on Madagascar to march on in Olympics qualifiers 

Banyana Banyana sealed their place in the next round of the Olympics qualifiers in style following a 3-0 thrashing of Madagascar at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on Tuesday.

Having won the first leg 4-0 last Friday, when they were 2-0 up at halftime, South Africa had to wait until the second half to find the breakthrough in the return leg.

It was not for the lack of trying but their poor finishing that they were not ahead early, with captain Thembi Kgatlana missing three good chances, while Gabriela Moodaly-Salgado drew a good save from the visiting goalkeeper in the opening 45 minutes.

 Banyana explode after the break

However, soon after the restart, Banyana opened the scoring in the 46^th minute when Moodaly-Salgado finally breached the impressive Madagascar goalkeeper.

From then on, South Africa turned on the screws and it was not long before they found the second. Substitute Ronnel Donnelly, who was introduced in the 63^rd minute, needed just one minute to make her presence felt as she soon headed home the second after a good cross from Kgatlana.

Just a minute later, Kgatlana nearly found the target but missed from close range. This did not deter Desiree Ellis’ side as they kept knocking on the door and 14 minutes from time, the third goal arrived.

Who will South Africa face next?

South Africa made a good forward move before Hildah Magaia crossed into the box and Donnelly reacted quickly to direct the ball into the back of the net from close range for her second of the match and fifth in Banyana colours.

The win saw South Africa advance to the third round of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics qualifiers following a 7-0 win on aggregate and they will now take on Tanzania in the next round after the East Africans beat Botswana 7-0 on aggregate.