Donnelly hat-trick gives Banyana Banyana commanding Olympic qualifying lead

Ronell Donnelly scored three times as Banyana Banyana began their Olympic qualifying campaign with a convincing 4-0 win over Madagascar on Friday afternoon.

South Africa were given a bye into this round after their disappointing quarter-final exit at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, where they failed to defend their title. Madagascar reached the tie after beating South Sudan 2-1 on aggregate.

Banyana took control before the half-hour mark. Donnelly timed her run perfectly to meet an inch-perfect corner from the left, rising to bundle the ball into an unguarded net.

The Mamelodi Sundowns forward doubled the advantage 10 minutes either side of half-time. She controlled another corner delivery expertly before driving a low finish into the bottom corner to complete her brace.

Madagascar attempted to find a way back into the contest before the interval, but they lacked the urgency required to unsettle their more experienced opponents. South Africa remained disciplined and went into the break with a deserved lead.

Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis made a change at the start of the second half despite her side’s comfortable advantage, bringing Linda Motlhalo on for Antonia Maponya.

Donnelly continued to pose a threat immediately after the restart. She came close to completing her hat-trick when she met the ball first time after a sustained attacking move, but her effort went wide.

The forward did not have to wait long for her third goal, however. In the 61st minute, she moved towards the near post of the six-yard box and emphatically converted Fikile Magada’s cutback into the bottom corner.

Madagascar spent much of the remainder of the match chasing the ball and were punished again inside the final 10 minutes.

Hildah Magaia collected a lay-off near the post at the edge of the area and struck a powerful finish into the net to make it 4-0.

South Africa comfortably managed the closing stages to secure a substantial first-leg advantage in their bid to reach the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

The return leg will be played on Tuesday.