Ellis warns Banyana cannot afford another slip-up

Compiled by Dylan Bettencourt

• Banyana must beat Ivory Coast on Friday after Tanzania’s 2-1 win left them under pressure in Group B.

• Only two teams reach the quarterfinals, while Banyana need a semifinal place to qualify for the World Cup.

Banyana Banyana must beat Ivory Coast on Friday after their shock 2-1 defeat to Tanzania.

Only the top two teams in Group B will reach the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinals.

Banyana must also reach the semifinals to book an automatic place at next year’s Fifa Women’s World Cup in Brazil.

Coach Desiree Ellis told safa.net that her team cannot afford to drop more points.

“We still have it in us. It wasn’t a good day at the office and we can be better than that,” she said.

“We cannot drop any more points. With only two teams going through, we have to put our best foot forward.”

Ellis expected all three group matches to be difficult. But she believed beating Tanzania would have given Banyana a strong start.

Instead, two poor goals left South Africa chasing the game.

“We knew what Tanzania was going to do, but the two goals we conceded were poor,” Ellis said, The Citizen reported.

“They had two chances, scored them and won the game. We made life difficult for ourselves.”

The defeat also spoiled Linda Motlhalo’s 100th match for Banyana.

The midfielder made her national team debut in 2015 and has remained a key player.

Ellis praised Motlhalo as a creative and reliable player who has always acted professionally.

“She has been tremendous and an ultimate professional,” Ellis said. “I hope she can get another 50 appearances.”

Pictured above: Desiree Ellis.

Image source: Desiree Ellis/Instagram