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Africa’s four qualifiers for next year’s Women’s World Cup all suffered fresh setbacks in their preparations for the tournament in Australia and New Zealand.
South Africa, Morocco and Nigeria experienced humiliations in their latest friendly matches, while visa issues meant Zambia had to call off a scheduled warm-up game in Europe.
After being outclassed by Brazil in two friendlies last month, African champions South Africa were thumped 4-1 by Australia in London.
Desiree Ellis’s Banyana Banyana were without a host of key players, including captain Janine van Wyk and United States-based Thembi Kgatlana – with the latter recovering from an injury suffered at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) in July.
The Matildas dominated by scoring three times in the first half and a fourth in the 53rd minute before Hildah Magaia netted a beautiful consolation towards the end.
“We were looking for an improved performance. It’s not where we wanted to be but it’s step by step and I felt we have improved,” said Ellis.
Read more: https://www.bbc.com/sport/africa/63215819
