Banyana mentor Desiree Ellis has called her charges to be on top of their game in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations opener against holders Nigeria to be victories and set a positive tone for the tournament.
Banyana Banyana will be aiming to avoid a defeat against a side that denied them their first silverware in the 2018 final.
“In 2018, we also faced them in group stages. I think history has shown we are capable of beating them, but we’ve got to bring our A-games. They are multiple champions. They’ve been here many times. They’ve been in this situation,”Desiree Ellis told SAFA media as per Supersport.
“2018 taught us that if we show our best, we can get a positive result. We also played them in a cup in Nigeria, and the team has grown because it showed what this team is capable of.”
“It’s the first game of the tournament, it’s always a big game no matter who you are facing, and we have to go there, get a positive result to set the tone for the rest of the tournament.”
The five-time runners, also one of the competition’s favourites, are targeting their first trophy.
“Any team that comes to the tournament wants to be in the tournament. Having come so close in 2018, I think the players feel the time is now. We’ve been in the runners-up position five times before we know what it takes to go one step ahead. It starts with the first game, and we have to get a positive result. Our level got to be better than their level on the day because what matter is on the day,” she concluded.
The much anticipated Group C clash will be played on July 4 at 21:00.
