Banyana Banyana mentor Desiree Ellis insists they are going all out for gold after defeating neighbours Zambia 1-0 on Monday evening to progress to their second successive Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, courtesy of a Linda Motlhalo late penalty in stoppage time.
According to Ellis, they had set two objectives heading to the competition; qualifying for the 2023 World Cup and reaching the final.
Team South Africa suffered a massive heartbreak last time out, losing the final to Nigeria’s Super Falcons in Ghana. In this year’s edition, Ellis’ charges have already defeated their rivals Nigeria after they were placed in the same group.
“It’s a huge victory for us, we’ll celebrate like we normally do after every victory, then we’ll watch the game and prepare for the final to give ourselves a best shot to go for gold. It means a lot to us [to be in the final]. We want to give ourselves another chance of getting that elusive gold medal. This time is another chance after coming so close in 2018,” Ellis told the media.
“In 2018, we came so close, there was no competition in 2020. Before we started our camp, we sat down as a group and said what is our main objective? The first one was to qualify for the World Cup, the second was to win the final.”
“It’s not just for us but for the players who were there in 2018, the coaches that were part of us, so it’s all for those people back home for the support they’ve given us.”
The 59-year-old further praised her players for their good performance during the match despite a few occasions when they seem on the back foot.
“The players were absolutely magnificent today, whatever we asked of them they gave it. When we made the changes, they gave it [their all], they put their bodies on the line and I thought they were absolutely magnificent.”
“We wanted to play quicker, we wanted a lot of movement. Second half we made a couple of changes, everybody started lifting their game and we started taking chances, that’s the beauty of the players we have, so flexible and mobile. They wanted to be in the final,” she added.
Heading into the final, Banyana will face hosts Morocco who defeated reigning champions Nigeria 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 stalemate later on Monday night. The Southern Africans will be aiming to clinch their first title after losing all their six finals.
The Saturday’s final at the Prince Moulay Abdella Stadium in Rabat kicks off at 22h00.
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