Banyana Banyana Must Improve Against Madagascar in Olympic Qualifying Second Leg, Says Linda Motlhalo

Banyana Banyana midfielder Linda Motlhalo has called on South Africa to improve their performance against Madagascar in the second leg of their 2028 Olympic qualifying campaign, despite securing a commanding 4-0 victory in the opening match. The result has put the South African women’s national team in a strong position to advance to the next qualifying round, but Motlhalo believes there is still room for improvement. Her comments reflect the team’s determination to maintain high standards as they pursue a place at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. South Africa dominated the first leg at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein, with young striker Ronnel Donnelly stealing the spotlight by scoring a hat-trick. However, Banyana Banyana know that success in the early stages of qualification is only the beginning of a demanding journey towards the Olympic tournament.

South Africa delivered an impressive performance in the first leg against Madagascar, combining attacking quality with a solid overall display to secure a four-goal advantage. The victory gave head coach Desiree Ellis an encouraging start to the qualifying campaign and placed her team in a favourable position ahead of the return fixture. Donnelly was the standout performer, scoring three goals to record her first international hat-trick for the senior national team. Her clinical finishing provided the cutting edge that Banyana needed to turn their opportunities into a convincing result. The fourth goal completed a productive afternoon for South Africa and gave the team a substantial advantage heading into Tuesday’s encounter.

Despite the comfortable scoreline, Motlhalo was quick to stress that the team could not afford to become complacent. The experienced midfielder believes Banyana Banyana must continue improving their technical execution and tactical organisation if they want to progress through the Olympic qualifiers. Speaking after the first leg, she praised her teammates for securing the victory but made it clear that the performance did not meet every expectation within the squad. Motlhalo explained that the players hold themselves to high standards and recognise that more work remains before they can consider themselves ready for the tougher challenges ahead. Her message serves as a reminder that winning comfortably does not remove the need to identify weaknesses and improve as a team.

Motlhalo’s comments are particularly important given the demanding nature of Olympic qualification in Africa. Only two African teams will secure places at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, making every qualifying round a significant test for the participating nations. Banyana Banyana will need to demonstrate consistency, discipline and attacking efficiency against increasingly competitive opponents as the campaign progresses. A strong first-leg result can provide confidence, but the team must also develop the ability to maintain its standards when facing greater pressure. For Ellis and her players, the immediate priority is to complete the tie against Madagascar before turning their attention to the challenges that may follow.

The second leg presents another opportunity for Banyana Banyana to demonstrate their quality in front of South African supporters. The match is scheduled to take place at the Free State Stadium on Tuesday, with kick-off set for 6pm local time. Unlike the opening encounter, supporters will be permitted to attend the return fixture, giving the national team the chance to benefit from home support. The atmosphere could provide an additional boost as the players look to build on their opening performance. However, the team will need to concentrate on its football rather than rely solely on the advantage of playing at home.

The four-goal lead gives South Africa considerable breathing room, but the coaching staff will still expect a focused and professional performance. Madagascar will have an opportunity to respond in the second leg, and Banyana must remain alert to any attacking threats from their opponents. Avoiding unnecessary mistakes and maintaining defensive concentration will be important, particularly if the visitors attempt to apply early pressure. South Africa will also want to continue creating scoring opportunities rather than simply protecting their aggregate advantage. A disciplined approach would allow the team to control the match while gaining further experience ahead of the more demanding stages of qualification.

Another positive development from the first leg was Ellis’ decision to give emerging players opportunities within the senior squad. The coach selected a lineup that included several younger footballers, allowing them to gain valuable experience in an important international fixture. Motlhalo welcomed the approach, explaining that a combination of experienced players and emerging talent can benefit the team’s long-term development. Giving younger players meaningful minutes allows them to adjust to the pace and physical demands of senior international football. It also gives the coaching staff an opportunity to assess their progress and determine how they might contribute to future campaigns.

Building a balanced squad will be essential if Banyana Banyana hope to compete successfully for an Olympic place. Experienced players such as Motlhalo can provide leadership and tactical understanding, while younger members of the team can bring fresh energy and additional options. Integrating new talent gradually can also help South Africa prepare for injuries, suspensions and changes in form throughout a lengthy qualification process. Donnelly’s hat-trick against Madagascar offered an example of how emerging players can make a significant contribution when given the opportunity. If the squad continues developing this balance, South Africa could strengthen its depth as the level of competition increases.

The pursuit of Olympic qualification also carries added significance because Banyana Banyana last appeared at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in 2016. Returning to the competition would represent an important achievement for the national team and provide another opportunity to showcase South African women’s football on the global stage. The team has gained valuable experience through international tournaments and continental competition, but Olympic qualification requires sustained performance across multiple rounds. Every match therefore matters, even when a team enters the second leg with a substantial advantage. Ellis and her players will need to approach each challenge with the same determination if they want to reach Los Angeles in 2028.

For Motlhalo, the immediate objective is to ensure that South Africa builds on its first-leg victory without allowing the result to lower the team’s standards. Her emphasis on improvement reflects an understanding that stronger opponents will punish mistakes that Madagascar may not have been able to exploit. The return fixture offers an opportunity to sharpen the team’s movement, passing and finishing while maintaining defensive discipline. It also gives younger players another chance to gain experience and strengthen their confidence at international level. A convincing performance would not only help Banyana progress but could also provide a useful foundation for the next stage of the Olympic qualifying campaign.

Banyana Banyana have taken a major step towards advancing in the 2028 Olympic qualifiers with their 4-0 victory over Madagascar, but Motlhalo’s message is clear: the team must continue improving. Donnelly’s hat-trick and South Africa’s attacking performance provided plenty of encouragement, while Ellis’ decision to involve younger players offered a positive sign for the squad’s future. The second leg in Bloemfontein gives the national team an opportunity to complete the job and demonstrate greater consistency in front of its supporters. With only two African places available at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, South Africa cannot afford to become complacent after one successful result. Maintaining high standards, developing squad depth and approaching every match with discipline will be essential if Banyana Banyana are to return to the Olympic stage.