Baynana not complacent

Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis says they won’t take any team for granted when they defend their Cosafa Cup title from September 12 to 22 in Port Elizabeth.

Having named a strong squad, which features most of her overseas-based players, Ellis learned who their opponents will be in the group stages of the competition.

Banyana were drawn alongside Botswana, Madagascar and Malawi in Group A.

“It is a good draw, but we are not going to take it lightly. People always talk about small teams, but I don’t think there are any. We know a lot about Botswana and they know us as well because we have played against each other often enough,” said Ellis.

“I was impressed with Madagascar the last time I saw them play – they didn’t win any games, but they played well. With Malawi, the Chawinga sisters (Tabitha and Temwa) were a revelation, especially Tabitha (above). She is the leading scorer in China. So, we have to be on top of our game. The most important game is the first game against Madagascar.”

Ellis has an idea of what to expect from their opponents and the challenge they will be facing.

“Madagascar play a similar type of football to us ... Botswana, on the other hand, are physical, and they will come at you. Malawi have Tabitha who is a really good striker, so our defence has to be solid. But we have players who can