Photo Credit - Banyana Banyana.
Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis has warned her rivals at the TotalEnergies CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) scheduled from July 5th to 25 in Morocco.
South Africa, who are the defending champions, have been pooled in Group C alongside Ghana, Mali and Tanzania. Despite heading to the tournament as the champions, Ellis is surprised that most people are not talking about them, but instead, are rooting for hosts Morocco, Nigeria and Zambia as favourites.
“Even though we are the defending champions we are not classed as one of the favourites. People talk about Zambia, Nigeria and Morocco to say who is likely to win it. They don't talk about SA and we try to keep that inside of what we want to do,” Ellis explained to the media in Johannesburg as quoted by SowetanLive.
“We've never been big talkers on anything like that. We know how big the task is. We know as the defending champions, whoever plays against us is their final. So, we had to be prepared, once we knew who we were playing against we started looking at getting footage and trying to analyse and share that with other coaches.
“Just to make sure when the time comes we have all the information. The only thing is Ghana have a new coach [Lars Kim Björkegrenn], so that will be key for us to make sure that we get over that first hurdle. Our first game is Ghana and we have to make sure we are covered when we select the squad.”
On heading into the 15th edition of the tournament as champions, Ellis explained: “We know it is going to be tough this time because when you are the defending champions, you become the one that everyone chases; when you are not the pressure is off.
“But I think having been there you understand what needs to happen, you look at Nigeria, they have done it over and over, they are serial winners and to be put in the same bracket as them you have to earn it.
“I think all of us know how big it is to win it back-to-back and we are working hard towards it and we have to plan and prepare properly.”
Banyana have organized two friendly matches against Malawi on April 5 and 8 as part of their preparations for the tournament.
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