The decisive moment came in the 35th minute when forward Nthabiseng Majiya produced a moment of brilliance. The attacker struck a well-taken effort from the edge of the penalty area, leaving the Algerian goalkeeper with no chance and handing the home side a deserved lead heading into the break.
Banyana Banyana showed attacking intent throughout the encounter and created several opportunities to extend their advantage. However, despite their dominance in phases of the game, they were unable to convert additional chances, and the match ultimately ended with Majiya’s strike separating the two sides.
The fixture marked the first of two scheduled friendlies between South Africa and Algeria, with both teams using the matches as part of their build-up to the postponed 2026 CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), now set to take place in July.
Head coach Desiree Ellis expressed satisfaction with the result while acknowledging that there is still room for improvement within the squad.
“I am happy with the result, but we can still improve on the performance,” Ellis said after the match. “It was not an easy game as we have not played together since last year. While some players were involved in the COSAFA Cup, not all of them were, so it was important to give others valuable minutes on the field.”
Ellis also highlighted the importance of the friendlies in reintegrating players and building cohesion within the squad, particularly given the limited domestic match activity for some of the locally based players. “This was key because local players have not been playing league football, with the exception of those based abroad,” she added.
Beyond the result, the match also carried special significance for defender Bambanani Mbane, who earned her 100th international cap for Banyana Banyana. Mbane, who made her debut in 2016 in a 3-0 victory over Botswana at Makhulong Stadium, becomes the 12th player in the team’s history to reach the milestone — a testament to her consistency and contribution to the national side over the years.
Looking ahead, South Africa will once again take on Algeria in the second and final match of the series. The encounter is scheduled to take place on Friday at King Zwelithini Stadium, with kickoff set for 15:00.