Donnelly’s treble gave Banyana Banyana a 4-0 win over Madagascar in Bloemfontein on Friday, in the first leg of their 2028 Los Angeles Olympic qualifier.
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Madagascar were the nominal hosts but have no suitable stadium, so the tie is being played in South Africa, and they asked for the first leg to be played without fans. Linda Motlhalo captained Desiree Ellis’s side.
After a tight first 20 minutes, Donnelly pounced at the far post from a Karabo Dhlamini delivery in the 25th minute. She added a low finish from another corner in the 37th and completed her hat-trick in the 61st.
Hildah Magaia’s run then took her past the goalkeeper, and the covering Madagascar defender diverted the ball into her own goal in the 78th minute to make it 4-0.
The second leg, with fans allowed, is at the same ground on Tuesday at 18:00.
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Photo: Charle Lombard/Gallo Images
