African champions Banyana Banyana lose third straight game to Jamaica

South Africa’s women’s national team, the Banyana Banyana, suffered a 3-0 loss to Jamaica in an international friendly match on Saturday morning at the Catherine Hall Sports Complex in Montego Bay.

This defeat marks their third consecutive loss, following earlier setbacks against Denmark and England.

The match was a rematch of their previous encounter, which ended in a 1-1 draw before the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Jamaica, playing at home for the first time since 2022, quickly took control of the game. They scored their first goal in the 28th minute when Siobhan Wilson’s corner kick unexpectedly found its way into the net.

Khadija Shaw, returning to the national team after a year away, added two more goals for Jamaica in the 55th and 83rd minutes, sealing the victory.

Banyana Banyana struggled throughout the match, lacking several key players, including Karabo Dhlamini and Thembi Kgatlana, which left them unable to pose any threat to the Jamaican defense.

The two teams are set to meet again on Wednesday at the same venue.

South Africa is using these matches to prepare for the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, where they will defend their title in a group that includes Ghana, Mali, and Tanzania.