Banyana did it for SA
COACH: ELLIS DEDICATES WIN TO MORE THAN THE TEAM
‘Tough match ... but I thought we were always in control,’ says coach Ellis.
Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis dedicated their 2019 World Cup qualification in France to the whole of South Africa and says it wasn’t only about her players.
The senior national women’s team booked their spot at the global competition for the first time in their history when they reached the final of the Africa Women’s Cup of Nations in Ghana following a 2-0 victory over Mali at Cape Coast Stadium on Tuesday.
In the build-up to the conti- nental tournament, the Banyana coach and her players stressed the importance of going to the World Cup, having failed to do so previously.
Ellis said they knew they had accomplished their mission the minute Lebohang Ramalepe scored a second goal for the team after Thembi Kgatlana’s first-half strike.
“When we got the second goal with not much time left we knew that we had accomplished what we wanted to do, which was to qualify for the World Cup,” said Ellis.
“But this is not about this team only, this is about the whole of South Africa, the coaches who have been here before, the players who have been here before, the coaches and players in the Sasol league and the South African Football Association.”
The former Banyana captain revealed their analysis of the Mali team worked for them and added there were moments in the game she felt her players were losing focus.
“We knew Mali was going to be a tough match but, as usual, our analyses were spot on. We made sure we neutralise players we thought would cause damage against us.
“But I thought we were always in control of the match.” she added.
“There were moments in the second half when we started doing silly things and I told the players that we needed to stay focused and make sure we do not lose possession – but we were always in control.”
With the World Cup qualification spot secured, Banyana have one more mission – to lift the Africa Women’s Cup (AWC) trophy for the first time when they meet Nigeria in the final, to be played at Accra on Saturday.