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IOL News
2 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Banyana Banyana's fate hangs in the balance as they face Mali for WAFCON quarter-final spot
BANYANA Banyana stars Bambanani Mbane, Jermaine Seoposenwe and Hildah Magaia were left with more questions after they drew with Tanzania on Friday night. | BackpagePix Image: BACKPAGEPIX Banyana Banyana will go into their final Group C match against Mali at the 2025 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) on Monday knowing that their title defence could hinge on this one result. South Africa currently top the group on goal difference, but they are level on four points with Mali and have not yet secured a place in the quarter-finals. A win against Tanzania in their previous outing would have booked their place in the knockout stages with a game to spare, but a disappointing 1-1 draw means the final group clash will determine who goes through — and in what position. Head coach Desiree Ellis is aware that the pressure is now firmly on her side to deliver. 'We know what's at stake,' she said after the Tanzania game. 'We didn't take our chances and dropped points that we shouldn't have. Now we have to go out and get the job done against Mali.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ The reigning champions began the tournament with a clinical 2-0 win over Ghana, showcasing their tactical discipline and efficiency in front of goal. But the lack of killer instinct in front of goal against Tanzania has raised concerns. Banyana created numerous opportunities but failed to convert, and their defensive lapse late in the game proved costly. Still, the group remains in their hands. Mali, on the other hand, responded well to their opening draw against Tanzania by edging Ghana 1-0 in their second game. That result has thrown the group wide open, with all four teams still mathematically in contention. However, victory for either Banyana or Mali would guarantee a place in the quarter-finals, while a draw could still be enough for South Africa depending on the other result. Banyana will rely heavily on the experience of Linda Motlhalo and Jermaine Seoposenwe to lead the line. You can always trust Andile Dlamini to come to the rescue… — Banyana_Banyana (@Banyana_Banyana) July 7, 2025 Both players have been among the most influential in the group, and their creativity and composure will be vital in breaking down Mali's physical and direct approach. Amogelang Motau is expected to start in midfield alongside captain Refiloe Jane, offering balance, energy and distribution. Meanwhile, in goal, Andile Dlamini is likely to return to the starting eleven after questions were raised over Kaylin Swart's positioning during Tanzania's equaliser. The switch could prove decisive, especially in a match where small margins may determine the outcome. Mali are known for their athleticism and never-say-die attitude, and they will see this clash as a rare opportunity to advance to the latter stages of WAFCON. For South Africa, it's as much about pride as it is about points — and a strong finish could not only secure qualification but help avoid a tougher opponent in the next round. Thembi Kgatlana remains absent from the squad due to personal reasons, and her absence continues to be felt. But Ellis has backed her team to step up in her absence. With everything to play for and no margin for error, Banyana must now prove why they are still the reigning champions of the continent.
IOL News
3 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Ellis stands by team choices after Banyana Banyana's draw with Tanzania
BANYANA Banyana stars Bambanani Mbane, Jermaine Seoposenwe and Hildah Magaia were left with more questions after they drew with Tanzania on Friday night. | BackpagePix Image: BACKPAGEPIX Banyana Banyana coach Dr Desiree Ellis has defended her decision to rotate the starting line-up after a 1-1 draw with Tanzania, insisting her selections were good enough to win the match. The result, played at the Honneur Stadium in Oujda, Morocco, on Friday night, means South Africa remain top of Group C on goal difference ahead of Mali — both sides sitting on four points — but a win would have secured qualification to the knockout stages with a game to spare. The defending champions were shocked in the 24th minute when Tanzania captain Opa Clement gave the Twiga Stars the lead. Banyana responded in the second half with an equaliser from Bambanani Mbane, but it wasn't enough to secure all three points. Ellis' decision to make four changes to the starting line-up that defeated Ghana 2-0 in the opener raised eyebrows. Most notably, she dropped in-form goalkeeper Andile Dlamini in favour of Kaylin Swart. Swart cost us in the World Cup, and she's going to cost us again today 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 — Dr Phillips🇿🇦 (@Phillip22123860) July 11, 2025 Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ She also introduced Lonathemba Mhlongo, Siyabulela Holweni and Kgaelebane Mohlakoana in place of Tiisetso Makhubela, Amogelang Motau and Lebohang Ramalepe. Despite the public scrutiny, Ellis was clear that she stood by her choices. 'We had a good enough team to get a result, they scored early, and we had a chance to score before they could – we didn't put it away, it is the nature of the game,' said Ellis. She acknowledged the missed opportunity to secure early qualification but praised her side's fighting spirit after going behind. 'We didn't get the result we wanted but we are still in it. I thought the comeback was good, we could have won it as we had a couple of chances, but that's how the game goes.' 'We said before the match that no game is easy, we saw how Nigeria scored in the last minute, that's how difficult the games are going to be, but you have to take your chances. 'We felt if we get the three points we would go through to the next round already, but it was not to be, there is still some more work to be done.' 🏆 𝕎𝔸𝔽ℂ𝕆ℕ 𝟚𝟘𝟚𝟜 🏆 🗣️ "𝚆𝚎 𝚍𝚒𝚍𝚗'𝚝 𝚐𝚎𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚛𝚎𝚜𝚞𝚕𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚠𝚎 𝚠𝚊𝚗𝚝𝚎𝚍" Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis reacting to their 1⃣➖1⃣ draw against Tanzania!#SABCSportFootball #TotalEnergiesWAFCON2024 — SABC Sport (@SABC_Sport) July 11, 2025 She added that Tanzania came into the match desperate for points and managed to disrupt Banyana's style of play. 'There is no easy team anymore, they hadn't picked up any points, we knew they needed to win at all costs and they came with a plan, made us play like a team under pressure when we were not under pressure, playing into their hands at times with the long ball, but still there is all to play for in the group,' said Ellis. Still unbeaten in their last 13 WAFCON matches — with 10 wins and three draws — Banyana have shown they know how to fight. 'This team has shown they have the grit, they have the courage and the resilience to fight back and get the result that we deserve.' South Africa will now face Mali in their final Group C fixture on Monday night at 9pm South African time, while Tanzania take on Ghana at the same time.
IOL News
02-07-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Motau draws on past lessons but warns of fresh WAFCON challenge for Banyana
BANYANA Banyana midfielder Amogelang Motau among those who understand the need to stepup in Morocco. | BackpagePix Image: BackpagePix Banyana Banyana midfielder Amogelang Motau has urged her teammates to remain focused and fair in their approach to the 2025 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), warning that their title defense will be a whole new challenge despite the confidence drawn from their historic 2022 triumph. South Africa will open their campaign against Ghana at the Honneur Stadium in Oujda on Monday, with kickoff scheduled for 6pm (SA time). They will then go on to face Mali and Tanzania in their two other group matches in an attempt to advance to the next round in defence of their title. Coach Desiree Ellis and her charges have been hard at work preparing for the tournament, but the North African climate has provided its own hurdles. With the intense Casablanca heat testing the squad's endurance, acclimatising has become a critical part of their pre-tournament focus. They say it's even hotter in Casablanca since the arrival of @Banyana_Banyana 🥵 Of course we're bringing the heat! #BanyanaBanyana — Banyana_Banyana (@Banyana_Banyana) July 1, 2025 Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading Motau, who was part of the title-winning Banyana side in 2022 and plays her club football for Club Tijuana in Mexico, has spoken of the team's determination to focus on the task ahead rather than dwell on past glories. 'The mood is becoming great. We've been struggling a little bit with the heat, but I think we're acclimatising, and everyone is coming into camp. We're just one player short, but I think we're getting the hang of it,' Motau said ahead of their tournament opener. The 2022 WAFCON champions went through the previous edition undefeated, but with a new-look group featuring teams they did not face in their last campaign—or even during their recent build-up matches—Motau believes the defending champions will need to be sharp from the outset. 'That is the mentality the technical team is trying to instill in us. She continued. 'We need to come into this tournament just like we came into the last one. We're contenders. We take it one game at a time. 'The focus is on ourselves. The analysis team will do the work that's needed for them to inform us about the game, but other than that, we're going well.'
