Banyana Banyana beat Mali 2-0 in their African Women’s Cup of Nations semi-final to not only seal a spot in the showpiece event, but also book their ticket to next year’s Fifa Women’s World Cup for the first time.

Desiree Eliss’ team started the game on the front foot and created the first opening when Jermaine Seoposenwe long range strike in the 15th minute was saved by Mali goalkeeper Adoudou Konate.

Banyana continued to push forward and were eventually rewarded for their endeavour as Thembi Kgatlana netted her fifth goal of the tournament when she fired a low strike into the bottom corner with 31 minutes played.

The South Africans almost doubled their lead but Refiloe Jane fluffed her lines when latching onto a rebound.

Mali on the other hand were struggling to have an impact on the game and rarely troubled the Banyana backline in the first half.

1-0 to South Africa at the break and they were just 45 minutes away from booking a spot in the 2019 Fifa Women’s World Cup.

It, however, was not going to be straight forward for Banyana as the Female Eagles came out fighting in the second half.

After surviving a period of pressure, Ellis’ team looked to regain control of the game heading into the final 30 minutes but were finding chances hard to come by.

Lebogang Ramalepe then sealed the result for Banyana as her looping strike from outside the box left the Mali keeper with little chance, 2-0 to the South Africans with 80 minutes played.

Banyana held on for a famous victory and will now face Nigeria in the showpiece event.

They have however already succeeded in the tournament by qualifying for the FIFA Women’s World Cup for the first time in their history.

Photo: Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix