Riding high
Banyana’s moment of brilliance
Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis said it took a moment of brilliance to decide the game in their 1-0 win against defending champions Nigeria in the opening match of the 2018 Africa Women Cup of Nations on Sunday.
Thembi Kgatlana’s late, thunderous volley in the second half saw Banyana start their journey in the competition on a high note.
Beating Nigeria, who have won the tournament 10 times, serves as a motivational boost for the side going forward.
“We beat a very good side today and it seriously took a moment of brilliance to decide the match,” Ellis said at the post-match media briefing.
“We needed to be phenomenal and execute the plan. Even though they had a lot of ball possession, they didn’t really threaten us.
“In the first half, our passes were going astray and we spoke about that at halftime. We needed to pass firmer and get into position.
“We always knew we had it in us. We planned really well, although a plan does not guarantee success – you have to execute the plan and I thought we did it very well.
“We forced them to play long balls which I don’t think is their strength and we won the aerial balls.
“I think the first game of the tournament is the most important and it’s even bigger playing Nigeria.
“The victory is for us, yes, but most importantly, it’s for the people back home.”
Kgatlana is no stranger to crucial goals, helping Banyana to reach the Cosafa Cup tournament in 2016 with some vital strikes and was also named player of the tournament.
The Houston Dash winger was less influential as the side retained the title in September‚ but remains a vital part of the team‚ even when used as an impact weapon off the bench‚ as she was against Nigeria.
“This means a lot to me‚ but even more so for the team because we know how important it is to have won this first game‚” Kgatlana said.
“We came here with one goal‚ which is to qualify for the World Cup,” she said.
The national women’s side will now face Equatorial Guinea on Wednesday, followed by the final Group B game against Zambia on Saturday.
Finishing in the top three in the competition will book the Banyana a ticket to the 2019 World Cup in France.