Banyana Banyana run riot against Mali at Wafcon, sending clear message to title rivals
Perhaps it was the criticism that they had not yet come to the party as the defending Women's Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) champions. Maybe it was the frustration of being held to a 1-1 draw by Tanzania during their second match.
Whatever triggered Banyana Banyana's 4-0 demolition of Mali in their final Wafcon group game, they have sent a clear message to their challengers at the continental showpiece: the champions are here and they will not easily relinquish their title — if at all.
Stinging Banyana
Much like a swarm of bees that has been provoked, the South Africans were all over Mali on Monday, 14 July. With both teams already qualified for the quarterfinals, the clash was to determine who would finish at the summit of Group C.
In the end, it proved to be a non-contest as Banyana Banyana crushed the Malians to set up a quarterfinal tussle with Senegal. Two of South Africa's co-captains for Wafcon, midfielder Refiloe Jane and wing-back Lebohang Ramalepe, led the way in opening the floodgates at Oudja's Honneur Stadium.
Mexico-based forward Hildah Magaia and starlet Ronnel Donnelly added gloss to the score with their second-half strikes. It was a satisfying result for Banyana Banyana, more so after their toiling against Tanzania and their workmanlike 2-0 win over Ghana in their opening Wafcon match.
Against Mali, the South Africans were at their effervescent best as they struck down the previously high-flying Eagles, condemning the west Africans to a third-place finish.
After the game, South Africa's coach, Desiree Ellis, said, 'We knew we were better than the first two games we played. We consistently work on what we need to improve — sometimes it doesn't happen overnight — but this game [against Mali] was a statement. A statement of intent and resilience, a statement of who we are.
'Everything [worked] … the movement off the ball, the quick passing, the rotations, the overloads… Plaudits should go to the technical team, they worked tirelessly on training [the team] even though we only had one training session before the Mali game. But we've consistently worked on getting better at certain things, and in this game we showed the quality we have.'
Onwards and upwards
With her team flexing its muscles at just the right time in the competition, four-time African women's coach of the year Ellis wants her players to build on the blistering performance they displayed against Mali.
This is crucial, as either record Wafcon champions Nigeria (11 titles) or the formidable Zambia wait in the semifinals should the South Africans overcome Senegal.
'We need to use this [Mali win] to fuel ourselves and get even better. Because it does not matter the result, we're always looking for improvement,' said Ellis.
'We will keep working, not just on our finishing, but everything. Because there is no perfect game, there's always room for improvement. If we continue working, we'll get better at how we do it.
'Hopefully, we can take this Mali performance and push it up a notch in the knockout stages, because there are no second chances now — it's either you take your chances or you go home.'
Wafcon quarterfinals
One of the benefits of Banyana Banyana finishing first in Group C (with seven points to second-placed Ghana's four) is that they will remain at their original base for the tournament, the city of Oujda. Failure to win their group would have necessitated the South Africans relocating to Berkane, 60km from Oudja.
Now the reigning African champions can enjoy the privilege of continuity as they prepare to take on Senegal. The quarterfinal clash takes place on Saturday, 19 July. Kickoff is at 9pm.
The marquee fixture of the quarterfinals is definitely Friday's tussle between Nigeria and Zambia. Following their drubbing by Banyana Banyana, the Malians face another daunting opponent in the form of tournament host Morocco. The other quarterfinal is between the evenly matched Algeria and Ghana. DM
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