Banyana held by Ivory Coast to leave Wafcon hopes in the balance

Banyana Banyana left it late to earn a hard-fought 2-2 draw with Ivory Coast during their second match of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) in Casablanca on Friday night.

Experienced striker Hildah Magaia pounced home from close range in the ninth minute of added time as Banyana earned a valuable point that keeps them alive in the tournament.

The other match of the Group B between Tanzania and Burkina Faso, that kicked off late on Friday, will have an impact on Banyana’s prospects of progression to the knockout stage.

Banyana’s last match of the group is against Burkina Faso on Tuesday.

Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis made three changes to the team that suffered the shock 2-1 lost to Tanzania in the opening match on Monday night.

Between the poles, Kaylin Swart replaced Andile Dlamini, Fikile Magama was preferred for Lebohang Ramalepe in defence while Nthabiseng Majiya came on for Magaia.

They were stunned by two first-half goals from Ivory Coast attacker Grace Sery in the 18th and 36th minute as they tried to settle in the game.

But they managed to launch a strong second-half comeback that was started by star striker Thembi Kgatlana who scored with a delightful curling shot after 84 minutes.

Magaia thought she had pulled one back for in the 94th minute and her goal was disallowed but she got it right a few minutes later as Banyana earned this valuable point.

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