Aisha Buhari Cup: Bayana Bayana thump Black Queens, showpiece reaches halfway stage


2018 African Woman Player of the Year Thembi Kgatlana was the star of the evening as South Africa's Bayana Bayana steamrolled Ghana 3-0 on Day 3 of the six-day Aisha Buhari Invitational Women’s Tournament in Lagos.

The entertaining encounter, firmly dominated by the reigning African vice champions took place at the at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena 

Kgatlana was too much to handle for the Black Queens’ rear-guard led by Captain Portia Boakye, and she eventually accounted for one goal and one assist as the Queens were diminished.

The shape of things to come was clear as early as the 7th minute, when Ellen Coleman had to stretch full length to clear the ball from the line as the Bayana Bayana launched onslaught after onslaught, the pacy Kgatlana creating most of the chances. 

The lithe forward, who plays her club football for Atletico Madrid of Spain, was in good enough position to gift the Bayana Bayana the lead after 12 minutes, but that was foiled by goalkeeper Dumehasi Fafali.

A minute later, Bayana Bayana’s calm-and collected, captain Janine Van Wyk, conjured a tricky floater from 30 yards that went away, and at the other end, Princella Adubea sliced her effort just wide as goalkeeper Kaylin Swart watched closely.

In the 17th minute, the nifty Kgatlana screened out her marker on the left but the ball hit the goalkeeper and rebounded off her body to kiss the crossbar before a grateful Hildah Magaia nodded the rebound into an empty net.

The entertainment flowed freely as Kgatlana showboated in beating three defenders, Van Wyk cleared from the line as Ghana launched a rare offensive but Fafali had to be super-alert to save twice from a dangerous Kgatlana. 

At the other end, Swart was called to action thrice within seconds as Grace Adams, Nina Norshie and Adubea threatened from close range but failed to get the ball into the net.

In the second half, the South Africans, efficient and diligent at the rear and menacing going forward, added another goal as the irrepressible Kgatlana outpaced two defenders and easily rolled the ball past Fafali on a counter-attack.

For some periods of the game, it looked gritty, but even then, most of the bone-cracking took place in the Ghanaian half as the slick South Africans showed technical superiority that prevailed over steam and resilience.

Seven minutes from time, it got worse for two-time African vice champions Ghana, Sibulele Holweni rising highest in the box to nod home a corner kick by substitute Robyn Moodaly.

Victory meant the Bayana Bayana are now the team at the top in the tournament, one goal better than African champions Nigeria who defeated Mali 2-0 on the opening day. 

A total of six goals have been scored in the tournament, with Nigeria’s Gift Monday the leading markswoman with two goals.

Saturday is rest day for all the teams, before Morocco’s Atlas Lionesses and the Femelle Aiglons of Mali tango on Sunday evening.