Head coach of the Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana, Desiree Ellis, is confident of returning to winning ways in the Hollywoodbets COSAFA Women’s Championship currently underway in Johannesburg.
The record seven-time winners in this competition got off to a disappointing start when they lost 3-4 to Malawi in the opening match on Wednesday (4 October) at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville.
A goal midway through the first half and three more the other side of the break was Malawi needed to emerge victorious, despite a spirited fightback from the hosts as they managed to score three but ran out of time to force or draw or even escape with a win at the dearth.
Temwa Chawingwa scored a hattrick for the Scorchers, with Leticia Chinyamula chipping in with one goal, while the Shamase twins, Thubelihle and Sphumelele, as well as Khensani Nkuna netted for the former champions.
“The players will take a lot of confidence out of this, and I think it will give us a lot of momentum even though we lost. Being 4-1 down and we almost stole it at the end, it was a very spirited performance and I think that gives you a lot of hope and a lot of confidence,” said Ellis at the sound of the final whistle.
The South Africans had challenges prior to the start of competition as they were unable to put together a team, with team withdrawing their players as the tournament does not fall in the FIFA Calendar date.
Nine players made their first appearance in a South African senior national team jersey on the day.
In their starting line-up, Banyana Banyana had four debutants – Mogale Raesetja (who was stretchered off in the first half and replaced by another newcomer, Morongwa Manamela) Khensani Nkuna, Boitumelo Rasehlo and Nicole Michael, while Ayesha Moosa, Samkelisiwe Selana, Unathi Simayile and Tshogofatso Motlogelwa were later introduced to earn their first caps.
The trio of Nomfundo Buthelezi, Chelsea Daniels and Jade Jones are yet to get off the mark for the senior national team.
“Considering the challenges we had leading up to this, where some players did not arrive, I have to applaud the team that went out and I am proud of them despite the result,” added Ellis.
With only the top placed team in each of the three groups going through to the semi-finals, where they will be joined by the best-placed second place finisher, South Africa is well aware there is no room for error in the remaining two matches.
Victory in those games could see them through but their passage to the next round is also dependent on the results from of the other groups. It would be the first time since the inception of the tournament that they fail to get out of the group.
Banyana Banyana take on Madagascar who also lost on the opening day, after allowing Eswatini to come back from behind to grab a 2-1 victory.
The Islanders return to the tournament after a three-year absence.
As matters stand, the Scorchers of Malawi top Group A on three points, level with second-placed Eswatini, while South Africa and Madagascar are yet to rattle the points column.
Kickoff at the Dobsonville Stadium between Banyana Banyana and the Islanders is at 15h00, while Malawi and Eswatini have an earlier date at 12h00.
Entry is free.
SATURDAY, 7 OCTOBER 2023 FIXTURES:
Group A
Dobsonville Stadium
Malawi vs Eswatini
12h00
South Africa vs Madagascar
15h30
GROUP STANDINGS
| GROUP A | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
| Malawi | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 3 |
| Eswatini | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| South Africa | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 4 | -1 | 0 |
| Madagascar | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 0 |
| GROUP B | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
| Angola | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 3 |
| Mozambique | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Zambia | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Comoros | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | -5 | 0 |
| GROUP C | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
| Zimbabwe | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| Botswana | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Namibia | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Lesotho | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 0 |
By Matlhomola Morake
