South Africa’s Banyana Banyana cruise past Madagascar into next round of 2028 Olympic Games qualifiers

South Africa advanced to the third round of the 2028 Olympic Games women’s football qualifiers after beating Madagascar 3-0 in the second leg in Bloemfontein on Tuesday, with Ronnel Donnelly scoring twice to complete a 7-0 aggregate victory.

Desiree Ellis’ side entered the return fixture with a 4-0 advantage from the first leg and will now face neighbouring Angola in the next round, scheduled for February and March.

Kgatlana leads the attack but misses chances

Ellis made changes to her starting line-up, bringing Thembi Kgatlana into the attack and handing the Tigres UANL forward the captain’s armband after she began the first leg on the bench.

Kgatlana threatened throughout the first half but struggled to convert her opportunities. She sent an early effort wide after Gabriela Moodaly-Salgado delivered the ball across goal, while Madagascar goalkeeper Veresantatra Diana produced important saves to deny her in the 25th and 34th minutes.

Kgatlana also had a goal ruled out for offside in the 36th minute. Amogelang Motau struck the crossbar from the resulting free-kick.

The South African forward missed another opportunity in the 44th minute after being set up by Hildah Magaia, while Diana later denied Moodaly-Salgado with a save in first-half stoppage time.

Moodaly-Salgado breaks the deadlock

South Africa finally took the lead in the opening minute of the second half.

Bongeka Gamede released Magaia down the left flank with a well-placed pass, and the forward picked out Moodaly-Salgado, who finished to put Banyana Banyana ahead.

Donnelly entered the match in the 63rd minute as a replacement for Moodaly-Salgado and made an immediate impact.

Donnelly seals victory with a brace

In the 65th minute, Kgatlana delivered an accurate cross from the right, allowing Donnelly to head home and double South Africa’s lead.

The striker struck again in the 76th minute, meeting Magaia’s cross from the left with a volley from close range to complete the 3-0 victory.

Donnelly had scored a hat-trick in the first leg, and her two goals in the return fixture took her tally to five across the two matches, underlining her contribution to South Africa’s progress.

Angola await in the next round

South Africa will face Angola in the third round of the Olympic qualifying campaign after their neighbours progressed past Namibia.

Before that tie, Ellis’ team are scheduled to play FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifiers against Chinese Taipei, Ecuador and Uzbekistan in November and December.

Banyana Banyana will look to carry their scoring form into those fixtures before turning their attention to the next stage of the Olympic qualification race.