Johannesburg - The SA women's national team, Banyana Banyana, registered another victory ahead of the African Women's Championship tournament, beating Tanzania comprehensively 6-1 in an international friendly played at the old Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Sunday evening.
Shiwe Nogwanya, Leandra Smeda, Silindile Ngubane, Sanah Mollo and captain Janine van Wyk registered their names on Banyana's scoresheet.
Coach Vera Pauw made only one change to the team that beat Zambia 4-0 in Lusaka a week ago, with Mamello Makhabane starting ahead of Thembi Kgatlana in the middle of the park.
In a well-balanced first half, both teams had several goal-scoring opportunities. Tanzania came close to scoring in the opening minutes of the match, but the home defenders did well to clear the ball out of danger.
Portia Modise then made a bid to open the scoring for Banyana Banyana in the 10th minute, after receiving a great pass from Nogwanya inside the box, but her final pass was intercepted by the Tanzanian keeper.
Five minutes later, the visitors broke the deadlock when they scored from a set-piece taken just outside the box. Captain Sophia Edward Mwasikili took a first-time shot at goal, beating keeper Andile Dlamini.
Banyana Banyana levelled the score in the 21st minute when Nogwanya found the back of the net after a goalmouth scramble, bringing the South African women back into the match.
Just before the half-hour mark, Smeda extended the lead with a header from a corner kick, giving Banyana Banyana a 2-1 lead at the half-time break.
Van Wyk made it three for Banyana Banyana in the 53rd minute when she scored her 11th goal in the national team's colours.
Pauw's charges continued piling the pressure on the Tanzanians, but they missed a number of goal-scoring opportunities before Ngubane succeeded with two goals deep in the second stanza.
Mollo scored the final goal for Banyana Banyana with a few minutes of play remaining to leave the final score 6-1 in favour of the home side.