Banyana need to be clinical up front
BANYANA Banyana’s wastefulness in front of goal will have to come to an end in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations semi-final to increase their chances of reaching the final.
Coach Desiree Ellis’ troops are in the semi-final of the Wafcon where they’ll face neighbours Zambia at the Stade Mohamed V tomorrow night in Casablanca.
They achieved that feat after beating Tunisia 1-0 in the quarter-final on Thursday night, thanks to a solitary goal from Jermaine Seoposenwe in the 14th minute.
In the bigger scheme of things, though, that win at Moulay Hassan ensured that Banyana qualified for the 2023 Fifa World Cup in New Zealand and Australia.
On Thursday, Banyana were far from their best, especially in the second half. They missed clear cut chances in front of goal.
They also failed to take their chances in the 1-0 win over Botswana in the last group stage match.
Banyana, though, will have to fire on all cylinders against their Cosafa counterparts Shepolopolo who qualified for their maiden World Cup after reaching the semi-final.
“It’s something of concern,” captain Refiloe Jane admitted to the Safa media department about the team’s poor
finishing.
“I think it’s one of the things that we need to work on as a team so that we can progress to the next round.”
Banyana have been solid defensively. They have only conceded twice in four games in the competition.
Goalkeeper and vice-captain Andile Dlamini was crowned the Goalkeeper of the Group stage, while credit should also go to centre-back duo Noko Matlou and Bambanani Mbane.
The pair easily complement each other, with and without the ball. Mbane is allowed freedom to go forward in open play, while Matlou moves up during set pieces.
“We talk a lot, even off the pitch,” Matlou said of her solid partnership with Mbane.
The presence of Matlou, 36, is proving to be invaluable in the Banyana group, given that she’s a point of reference for youngsters on and off the field.
With Banyana struggling up front, especially due to the absence of the injured Thembi Kgatlana, Matlou is one of the players that Ellis can push up front if push comes to shove.
Matlou started her career as a striker. She’s scored 68 international goals for Banyana to date.