South Africa claimed a second straight comfortable win over Madagascar in Bloemfontein on Tuesday, with Ronnel Donnelly scoring twice in the 3-0 victory to set up a third round CAF Women's Olympic qualifying tie with Angola.
Desiree Ellis' side headed into Tuesday's match holding a 4-0 aggregate lead from Friday's first leg - which was technically a home game for Madagascar, but played at Free State Stadium behind closed doors. Donnelly had silenced her critics in that game with a hat-trick.
Tuesday's clash at the same venue saw Ellis bench Donnelly and start Thembi Kgatlana upfront, handing her the captain's armband after the Tigres UANL star had come off the bench in the first leg.
Kgatlana was lively and incisive in terms of her runs off the ball, but lacked the finishing touch. She squandered several chances in the first half.
In the seventh minute, Gabriela Moodaly-Salgado flashed a ball across the face of goal with both Kgatlana and Hildah Magaia at the back post with the goal at their mercy. Kgatlana was off balance and steered wide in her most glaring miss.
In fairness, some credit must go to Veresantatra Diana, who made excellent saves to deny Kgatlana in the 25th and 34th minutes. Kgatlana also had a goal disallowed in the 36th minute for offside, with play brought back for handball. Amogelang Motau rattled the crossbar from the ensuing free-kick.
Kgatlana should have scored in the 44th minute when played in by Magaia, but fired across goal and wide. Diana made another flying save to deny Moodaly-Salgado's long-range shot in first half stoppage time.
Moodaly-Salgado had the last laugh, however, scoring in the first minute of the second half. Bongeka Gamede's pinpoint pass had released Magaia on Banyana's left flank and she had picked out the JVW FC stalwart for the finish.
Donnelly came on for Moodaly-Salgado on 63 minutes and doubled Banyana's lead immediately. Kgatlana turned provider with a pinpoint cross from the right and the Mamelodi Sundowns striker headed home in the 65th minute.
In the 76th minute, Magaia picked up her second assist and Donnelly her second goal as she met a cross from the left on the volley, netting from close range.
South Africa will face neighbours Angola in the third round in February - March following the latter's win over Namibia.
First, Ellis' side will play vital FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Chinese Taipei, Ecuador and Uzbekistan in November - December.
Banyana were not always inspired against Madagascar in a 7-0 whopping over two legs, but Donnelly's five goals across one start and one substitute appearance indisputably vindicated Ellis' longstanding faith in her.