Ellis guns for victory against DR Congo amid hot weather conditions
Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis reckons that they will have to find a way to cope with the hot weather conditions when they take on DR Congo in the first leg of the 2024 CAF Women’s Olympic qualifiers.
South Africa arrived in DR Congo on Monday ahead of Wednesday’s encounter at the Stade des Martyrs. The game will kick-off at 16:30 [SA Time].
This comes after the three-time CAF Women’s Coach of the Year, Ellis, announced her squad that will face the central Africa nation in the two-legged Olympic qualifiers.
Sadly, TS Galaxy Queens‘ Nomvula Kgoale and Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies’ Tiisetso Makhubela are both out injured, while UWC’s Bongeka Gamede had to be withdrawn due to her final examinations.
Banyana assembled for camp on Sunday 22 October, the very same day they jetted off to DR Congo.
DESIREE ELLIS ON FACING DR CONGO
“I think the flight was not that long but I think we checked in very late. We are looking forward to the game. It’s very hot here and humid but we will be ready for the game,” said Ellis.
“We have come in here before for a very short period. I think a lot of players know each other. It’s just a matter of tuning a few things.
“Also, making sure that we start really well because it’s an away leg. Getting good results away from home will make the home leg easier.”
BANYANA BANYANA COACH ON PLAYING ON AN ARTIFICIAL PITCH k
Ellis also touched on the issue of playing on an artificial pitch. The coach says that this is not something new to them, as they have played on an artificial pitch before. However, they will have to adjust quickly to get fruitful results on the day.
“I think it’s been quite some time we have played on turf [artificial pitch]. There’s only one team in the Hollywoodbets Super League that plays on turf and that’s Richmond Ladies,” she added.
“But I think it’s the same thing for them as well because they have a couple of players playing in Europe. However, I’m not sure where the players play. But this is a national stadium and they played a game or two before on turf. We just gonna play really quickly because we have players who have been in this before.
The 2022 WAFCON winning coach continued: “It’s not for the first time we travelling Africa to play against other nations. I remember in 2021 we played the Aisha Buhari Cup on the turf.
“So, it will be a little of an adjustment but we will have to adapt quickly because the away leg is really important to get positive results.”
The return leg will be played on Monday, 30 October at Orlando Stadium at 15:00.
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