Head coach of the Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana, Desiree Ellis, is considering making changes to her team when they face Slovenia in the second match of the Turkish Women’s Cup currently underway in Antalya, Türkiye.
The African champions defeated Uzbekistan in their first fixture at the tournament, winning by a comfortable 3-0, despite having only a few days to prepare.
In that outing, Ellis made four changes in the second half – giving a chance to goalkeeper Regirl Ngobeni, defender Tiisetso Makhubela, midfielder Robyn Moodaly and forward Nthabiseng Majiya and pulled out Andile Dlamini, Bambanani Mbane, Gabriela Salgado and Hilda Magaia.
Banyana Banyana starting 11 vs Uzbekistan:
Andile Dlamini (GK) (Regirl Ngobeni), Fikile Magama, Karabo Dhlamini, Bongeka Gamede, Bambanani Mbane (Tiisetso Makhubela), Refiloe Jane (c), Linda Motlhalo, Noxolo Cesane, Gabriela Salgado (Robyn Moodaly), Jermaine Seoposenwe, Hilda Magaia (Nthabiseng Majiya)
Subs:
Kaylin Swart (GK), Regirl Ngobeni (GK), Asanda Hadebe, Noko Matlou, Faith Nokuthula, Tiisetso Makhubela, Kholosa Biyana, Amogelang Motau, Robyn Moodaly, Melinda Kgadiete, Nthabiseng Majiya, Lelona Daweti
The experienced Spain-based defender Noko Matlou did not get a run, but Ellis says she, and some other players, could feature in the clash against Slovenia.
With only one FIFA break remaining in April, just three months before the World Cup, Ellis may be tempted to have a look at the likes of Asanda Hadebe, Kholosa Biyana, Amogelang Motau, Melinda Kgadiete, Lelona Daweti as well as England-based defender Faith Nokuthula who also did not get on the pitch in the last fixture.
But there is also a balancing act needed.
“Noko (Matlou) came in quite late (into camp) and with communication with her club we also needed to take care of her, and she will get a chance and a few others might get a chance. You also must look at the opposition itself, you always want to put your best team on the field first and make sure that they have the game in the bag before you make the changes because when the team is playing well it’s easy to bring players in as opposed to when the team is not playing well,” Ellis told SAFA.net
“You come to tournaments like these to win games of course, that’s the priority, to have an improved performance as well, but also to test players. It’s senseless to come (to a tournament like this) and you don’t test players. You want to win but you also need to test players. We will make sure that we first get the result, first get what we came here for, and at least the test players like we did last night (against Uzbekistan) when the game was in the bag.”
The South Africans are aware of the threat posed by Slovenia in the Turkish Women’s Cup and want to take nothing for granted.
The Europeans have won their two matches in the tournament, beating Uzbekistan 2-1 (15 February), and followed that up with a 1-0 victory over Zambia (18 February).
In 2022 they played five matches, winning three (vs Kazakstan x2 and Kosovo), drawing once (vs Wales) and losing one match (vs France).
“We could see the quality that they have, especially going forward. Defensively they were sound, but we will have a look at it analyze it very well and then plan and prepare towards that. We know we have players that can change games within the blink of an eye and then that’s going to be key for us. They (Slovenia) have shown that they have a better quality, and you cannot underestimate any team anymore, it doesn’t matter what their ranking is,” added Ellis.
The three-time African Woman Coach of the Year was impressed by her side’s performance against Uzbekistan in the opening match of the tournament, scoring three unanswered goals with the Mexico-based duo of Jermaine Seoposenwe and Noxolo Cesane getting on the scoresheet, while Tojiddinova Shokhida scored an own goal.
“I am quite excited that, especially in the first half, a lot of things that we worked on were in place – being better defensively, counter attacks, being counter attacked, etcetera. We thought it would take a bit longer for players to absorb but you know players know each other from playing together all the time and I think that it became a little bit easier. We were very good, defensively well-organized. They (Uzbekistan) hardly had a chance in our build-ups, in our counter attacks,” said the former Banyana Banyana player.
“We just have to work on the final third and finishing those chances because we had quite several of them, but we were in complete control. I expected a little bit of a dip in the second half because we hadn’t been together very long, but also, we had made a couple of changes. They also made some changes in the second half, and then played a bit better, which put us under a bit of pressure and that is what you want. I still feel that getting a win and conceding gives you a lot of confidence and motivation for the next game, more so having come back last year from three heavy losses (against Australia and twice vs Brazil). We are trying to build confidence; we’re trying to get the momentum going and this was a good start to get that going. We talk about scoring goals, but we also talk about keeping a clean sheet.”
Banyana Banyana face Slovenia on Tuesday, 21 February at the Emirhan Sport Complex in Antalya, Turkey.
Kick-off is at 14h00 SA Time.
By Matlhomola Morake
