Banyana Banyana head coach Desiree Ellis. Photo Courtesy SABC Sports.
Banyana Banyana head coach Desiree Ellis has blamed their 3-0 friendly defeat against Jamaica to fatigue.
The South African side suffered defeat to the Reggae Girlz in the first of two international friendlies between the two countries in Montego Bay, Jamaica, on Friday.
A wonder goal by Siobhan Wilson and a brace from Khadija Shaw saw the Sasol-sponsored South African Senior Women’s National Team lose the match to the hosts. Speaking after Ellis lamented that her players were jetlagged following the long travel to Jamaica.
“We also need to make better decisions in the final third. Once again, we could test some players and later the fatigue of travel and jet lag set in,’ Ellis told reporters after the game.
She, however, praised her team for putting up a good show under the circumstances. “I believe the girls did very well under the circumstances,’ added Ellis.
“We have another two days before the second match, so we will analyze this game, allow the players to get a bit more rest and look at what we can do better in our second match.”
The two teams will meet again on Monday, 2 December 2024 in matches that both nations are using as part of their preparations for tournaments to be played in 2025 in their respective continents.
South Africa are using the friendly matches to prepare for the 2024 WAFCON. Banyana were drawn in Group C in next year’s WAFCON and will play against West African sides Ghana and Mali, and Eastern Africans Tanzania.
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