Banyana Banyana out to douse Flames

Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis will be hoping her troops display the same fighting spirit they had against Botswana in their Cosafa Women’s Championship game on Friday, when the team play Malawi at the Wolfson Stadium in Port Elizabeth on Monday (3.30pm).

The national side sneaked a goal in the dying minutes of the game to beat Botswana 1-0 in their previous match and the victory placed Banyana on top of Group A with six points from two games.

Monday’s match is the last game of the group stages and a win or a draw will see the national side progress to the next stage of the tournament.

Banyana have only had two days to prepare for Malawi and Ellis said she planned to use that time and get her team ready for The Flames.

Speaking about their win on Friday, Ellis said: “I think the weather played a huge part. It was very difficult for both teams to play.

“In the first half, we tried to keep the ball on the ground but it was still very difficult to play.

“We created a few opportunities and in the second half we came with the same plan.

“We made a couple of changes and we got a penalty which was saved by the goalkeeper.

“We kept pushing – we wanted to win the game.

“I think we learnt from last year’s Cosafa as well. The team never gives up, they play right till the end.”

They were rewarded for their persistence when Jermaine Seoposenwe found the net in the final minute.

“It was a fantastic goal by Jermaine. But all credit to Botswana, they fought and fought but I think we wanted it more,” the former Banyana midfielder said. “I think it was magnificent the character that they showed.

“We created chances right until the end and if you continue creating, one will go in.

“That is exactly what happened,” Ellis said.

“I think getting six points in the group so far is great. This is not an easy group – I don’t think there are any easy teams.

“You have to be on top of your game all the time because if you let it slip there is always an opportunity.

“Right at the end, one of the players of Botswana took a shot and it could have easily gone in with us pressing for the winner.”