CRIES of "Siyaya eLondon" reverberated through the Addis Ababa Stadium yesterday after Banyana Banyana made history by qualifying for the 2012 London Olympics.
Banyana Banyana played to a 1-1 draw with Ethiopia but qualified 4-1 on aggregate.
South Africa won the first leg 3-0 at Orlando Stadium in Soweto two weeks ago where Noko "Beep Beep" Matlou scored all the goals.
Yesterday it was Russia-based Mpumi Nyandeni who scored in the 47th minute to put the visitors 1-0 in the lead, silencing the capacity crowd that turned up to watch the match, hoping for a home win.
Nyandeni connected with a neat cross from Matlou.
Ethiopia equalised through Tibyin Mesfin Tameru in the 84th minute after beating goalie Thoko Mndaweni.
South Africans working for the embassy in Ethiopia blew their vuvuzelas until the final whistle.
Banyana Banyana are the first ever South African women's soccer team to qualify for the Olympics since their formation in 1993.
The other team to represent Africa at the Olympics will be decided on October 22 when Cameroon host Nigeria in Yaounde.
Nigeria won the first leg 2-1 in Abuja.
Banyana Banyana coach Joseph Mkhonza said: 'This is the happiest day of my life in soccer. We worked hard as a team and deserved to qualify.
"We want to thank our sponsors Sasol, Safa and South Africans in general for their support.
"We are now preparing for the Olympics."
l Banyana Banyana's 'B' squad reached the All Africa Games semifinals after playing to a 2-2 draw with Ghana in Maputo yesterday.
Banyana celebrate great feat
CRIES of "Siyaya eLondon" reverberated through the Addis Ababa Stadium yesterday after Banyana Banyana made history by qualifying for the 2012 London Olympics.
Banyana Banyana played to a 1-1 draw with Ethiopia but qualified 4-1 on aggregate.
South Africa won the first leg 3-0 at Orlando Stadium in Soweto two weeks ago where Noko "Beep Beep" Matlou scored all the goals.
Yesterday it was Russia-based Mpumi Nyandeni who scored in the 47th minute to put the visitors 1-0 in the lead, silencing the capacity crowd that turned up to watch the match, hoping for a home win.
Nyandeni connected with a neat cross from Matlou.
Ethiopia equalised through Tibyin Mesfin Tameru in the 84th minute after beating goalie Thoko Mndaweni.
South Africans working for the embassy in Ethiopia blew their vuvuzelas until the final whistle.
Banyana Banyana are the first ever South African women's soccer team to qualify for the Olympics since their formation in 1993.
The other team to represent Africa at the Olympics will be decided on October 22 when Cameroon host Nigeria in Yaounde.
Nigeria won the first leg 2-1 in Abuja.
Banyana Banyana coach Joseph Mkhonza said: 'This is the happiest day of my life in soccer. We worked hard as a team and deserved to qualify.
"We want to thank our sponsors Sasol, Safa and South Africans in general for their support.
"We are now preparing for the Olympics."
l Banyana Banyana's 'B' squad reached the All Africa Games semifinals after playing to a 2-2 draw with Ghana in Maputo yesterday.
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