ELLIS APPLAUDS BANYANA AFTER BOOKING WAFCON SEMI-FINAL TICKET
Banyana Banyana coach Dr Desiree Ellis was full of praise for her charges after they managed to defeat a resolute Senegal in the quarterfinals of the CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) and set up a mouthwatering semi-final clash against the old enemy, Super Falcons of Nigeria.
South Africa beat the Lionesses of Teranga 4-1 on penalties as both sides could not be separated at the end of extra time with no goals on the board on Saturday (19 July) at the Honneur Stadium in Oujda, Morocco.
Ellis introduced fresh legs in the second half, bringing on Amogelang Motau, Nonhlanhla Mthandi and Bongeka Gamede for Lebohang Ramalepe, Sibulele Holweni and Linda Motlhalo. Gamede was making her first appearance in the tournament.
“I said the game was not going to be easy, I said it was going to be a difficult game because of the group they were in and how they got out – and we didn’t expect anything less. The first 15 minutes we showed a bit of nerves, trying to get into the game but once we got into the game, we nullified the threat, their two tall strikers. We dealt very well with their long ball, but sometimes we gave the ball away too cheaply. Senegal has improved from the last time we played them, the coach has done a fantastic job,” said Dr Ellis.
Banyana Banyana goalkeeper Andile Dlamini made two great saves in the penalty shootout, while Karabo Dhlamini, Tiisetso Makhubela, Gabriela Salgado and Bambanani Mbane ensured that South Africa stayed in the game to give the defending champions a massive 4-1 win.
“We have been practicing penalties, and we knew who our kickers were going to be and that’s why we made the changes we made. We always knew that Andile can save one or two – she had done it before. This was our first penalty shoot victory in the WAFCON – we lost it in 2006 and in 2018 in the final. I don’t have enough words to describe this team – the resilience, the courage, the never-say-die attitude, the willingness to fight for each other. No matter what they threw at us we were able to withstand that,” added Dr Ellis.
South Africa and Nigeria will meet in the last four on Tuesday (22 July) at Stade Larbi Zaouli in Casablanca.
“We are not thinking about Nigeria right now, we will think about the next match tomorrow. Let’s celebrate what we have done,” said Dr Ellis.
On Sunday (20 July), Banyana Banyana head to Casablanca as they depart Oujda a place, they have called home over the last 16 days where they played all their four matches in the tournament. In the other semi-final, hosts Morocco will face Ghana.
