After Banyana Banyana’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations [WAFCON] campaign suffered a huge blow with the loss of Thembi Kgatlana to injury, head coach Desiree Ellis reckons this is an opportunity for someone else in the team to step up.
The South African women’s side boasts a 100% record so far in the tournament with an impressive victory against Nigeria before edging Burundi and Botswana, where Kgatlana sustained his injury.
Banyana will have it all to play for when they face Tunisia on Thursday as they look to book a spot in the semifinals which will also see them qualify for the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
“Players are friends with Thembi, of course, because she has been in the team for a very long time, but there are players who are very much closer to Thembi, and they responded very well. We know why we are here, and losing Thembi was a huge blow, but it’s also an opportunity for other players to step up.
“Other countries have also lost players; Nigeria lost a player, Botswana lost a player as well, so it’s another opportunity for someone else to step up. We just reminded players why we’re here. Thembi also reminded the players that the journey still continues,” said the Banyana mentor.
With Ellis’ side having a realistic opportunity to make it to the semifinals, the 59-year-old stresses qualifying for the 2023 Women’s World Cup is more important.
“Our first aim is to qualify for the World Cup, and that game [against Tunisia] is almost upon us, and the players know why we here, we selected the squad for every eventually we didn’t expect this [injuries], but the versatility of our squad has to come through, and the training was really encouraging,” added the Cape Town-born mentor.
Banyana Banyana will lock horns with North African giants Tunisia on Thursday in the fight for a spot in the semifinals. Kickoff is at 22:00.
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