Banyana earn redemptive victory over Japan as AFCON preparations continue

The South Africans entered the contest looking to respond after suffering a 5-0 loss in the opening match between the sides over the weekend.

Head coach Desiree Ellis freshened up her starting line-up with three alterations, handing starts to Kaylin Swart, Bongeka Gamede and Thembi Kgatlana in place of Andile Dlamini, Nonhlanhla Mthandi and Gabriela Moodaly-Salgado respectively.

Japan also reshuffled their team significantly, with Seiki Kiko the only player retained from the previous encounter.

The decisive moment arrived in the ninth minute. On the occasion of captain Refiloe Jane's 150th appearance for the national team, her corner delivery created the opportunity for Linda Motlhalo to find the back of the net and hand South Africa an early lead.

The hosts responded by controlling possession for long periods and repeatedly threatened an equaliser. Swart was called into action early to deny Remina Chiba before later keeping out efforts from Honoka Hayashi and Yuka Momiki. Manaka Matsukubo struck the woodwork in the 34th minute, while Kiko narrowly missed the target before the break.

South Africa emerged unchanged for the second half, whereas Japan introduced three substitutes at the interval. Momiki went close on multiple occasions, and Hinata Miyazawa nearly created a leveller from a corner before Karabo Dhlamini produced a crucial goal-line clearance with roughly 20 minutes remaining.

Swart then preserved the advantage with a superb one-handed stop in the 79th minute, while the crossbar denied Japan again late on as Banyana held firm.

The two friendlies form part of South Africa's preparations for the upcoming Women's Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco next month.