South Africa reached the quarter-finals of the Total Energies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations when defeating ten-woman Burundi 3-1 in Rabat on Thursday.

Banyana Banyana produced a dominant performance to advance from Group C thanks to goals by Thembi Kgatlana, Amogelang Motau and Linda Motlhalo.

Banyana Banyana could have won the Group C tie by a wider margin but for their profligacy at the Stade Moulay Hassan FUS.

Jermaine Seoposenwe missed a first-half penalty before striker Kgatlana fluffed several scoring chances after the break.

Burundi got their consolation goal through Aniella Uwimana which was not enough to salvage their campaign after losing 4-2 to Botswana their opening game on Monday.

Their plight was exacerbated by the straight red card to substitute Annociate Nshimirimana in the second-half but the South African failed to make their superior number count.

The result means Banyana Banyana advance to the last eight with six points after beating title holders Nigeria in their opening game on Monday.

Burundi will have no chance of advancing to the knock-out stages of the tournament as they have no points after two matches in the tournament in Morocco.

South Africa demonstrated their desire to win the game and dominated the early exchanges which resulted in the opening goal through slippery attacker Kgatlana.

The East Africans ralled and restored parity ten minutes later through the Tanzania-based Uwimana who connected from close range.

Motau restored the lead of the South Africans on 32 minutes before goalkeeper Jeanine Irakoze saved Seoposenwe’s poorly hit penalty just before half-time.

Banyana Banyana continued their dominance after the break and when Irakoze fouled Kgatlana in the box Motlhalo converted the resultant penalty to extend their lead.

There was enough time for substitute defender Nshimirimana to be sent-off in the 73rd minute for bringing down an opponent in the box but the South Africans could not make use of their numerical advantage in the latter stages of the game.

Banyana Banyana will play Botswana in their final group game on Sunday while Burundi conclude their campaign in their match against title holders Nigeria.

Soka25east.com