Banyana Banyana kick off WAFCON title defence with victory against Ghana

Linda Motlhalo converted a penalty and Jermaine Seoposenwe found the back of the net for Desiree Ellis' charges in the first half to make sure the South Africans start the continental tournament with maximum points.

Banyana started the contest well and and were awarded a penalty when Ghana's Grace Asantewaa fouled Noxolo Cesane in the box, the decision was reviewed by VAR after the referee initially waved play on.

Linda Motlhalo stepped up to bury the spot-kick low in the right-hand corner past a static Cynthia Konlan in the Ghana goal in the 28th minute.

Just six minutes later South Africa were 2-0 ahead, Lebohang Ramalepe found space on the right and played an exquisite through ball to Seoposenwe, who showed good composure before beating Konlan.

It was a good finish for the 31-year-old Seoposenwe, who has announced the tournament would her last before retiring from international football.

Ghana gave a better account of themselves in the second half with Alice Kusi hitting a long-range effort against the cross-bar with Banyana goalkeeper Andile Dlamini beaten.

The Black Queens continued their fight to get back into the encounter and should have been pulled one back but forward Evelyn Badu missed a header from point-black range, again hitting the cross-bar.

In the end, Ellis will be happy that her team kept a clean sheet and started their WAFCON trophy defence with a a solid three points.

The next fixture for Banyana in Group C will be on Friday when they face Tanzania at the same venue.