The national women’s football team, Banyana Banyana, NEEDS to beat Zimbabwe to re-enter the finals of the Cosafa Women’s Championship.
These teams will face each other in the semi-final which will be held at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium, Polokwane, on Friday at 3 pm.
Banyana played in the finals of the recent Cosafa in 2024, and were defeated by Zambia 4-3 on penalties after the match ended in a 0-0 draw.
The team coached by Desiree Ellis, entered the playoffs by topping Group A with seven points from three games.
In this group, they won 2-0 against Malawi, 2-0 against Angola, and 1-1 against Lesotho in the final.
In all these games Ellis used different squads as he gave young players a chance.
Zimbabwe is also unbeaten in this tournament as they finished second in Group B with seven points.
They beat Eswatini 2-0, drew 0-0 with Zambia, before beating Botswana 1-0.
Since the Mighty Warriors have yet to concede a goal in this competition, the attacking players of Banyana have a challenge to break through their back wall.
Ellis said they will look at the mistakes they made in previous games, especially the recent one against Lesotho.
“We will analyze the previous games and see what we can do better as we are heading to the semi-finals. Our aim is to quickly mark the ball or apply pressure. We want to increase the speed with which we attack,” said Ellis.
“Obviously we are disappointed with the draw in the last group game but we know what awaits us in the next game. I don’t see that there is any need to motivate the players if they are going to play the semi-final game.
“Most of them will be playing this type of game for the first time. We want the players to be determined to advance to the finals.”
Banyana will enter this game after many players who play for international teams have arrived including Thembi Kgatlana, Amogelang Motau, Linda Motlhalo, Bongeka Gamede, Jessica Wade and Lebogang Ramalepe, although they will not play in this tournament.
Hildah Magaia has recently joined Spanish side Deportivo La Coruna.
“The arrival of these players is good as they will be able to encourage the youngsters. Our preparations are about to get tough. The best thing is that Linda, Thembi and Amogelang have scored goals for their teams in recent games, which means they will be in form,” said Ellis.
Ellis is expected to announce the squad that will play in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) which will start on March 17 in Morocco.
In another semi-final match that will be played at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium today at 12 noon, defending champion Zambia will face Namibia.