Dr Ellis applauds Banyana after reaching the final of the COSAFA Women’s Championship

Sasol Banyana Banyana coach Dr Desiree Ellis has showered her players with praise after they defeated a stubborn Zimbabwe in the semi-finals of the COSAFA Women’s Championship at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Friday.

The South Africans won 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 stalemate at the end of regulation time.

“After the Lesotho match in the group stages we said we wanted a big improvement, and I thought today was a big step up from that match. We knew it was going to be physical, we knew they were going to come at us, but I think after conceding that goal so early, we settled down a bit. The whole team really stood up, they fought for each other today. We needed that type of performance,” said Dr Ellis.

The hosts will now meet Namibia in the final on Sunday at the same venue, kicking off at 3pm. The Brave Warriors stunned the football community when they defeated and knocked out defending champions Zambia 1-0 in the earlier last four clash.

South Africa made nine changes to the team that defeated Lesotho in the previous fixture and the 2022 African Champions looked battle-ready for the assignment against Zimbabwe. But it was the visitors who took an early lead inside 10 minutes with a well-taken long range goal by Ethel Chinyerere.
Sasol Banyana Banyana dug deep and Nthabiseng Majiya pulled one back six minutes before the break, following a great assist by goalkeeper Casey Gordon.

Both sides had chances in the second half to take the lead but none were converted and it remained deadlocked, leading to the dreaded penalty shootout to decide the winner. Chinyerere and Bethel Kondo scored for Zimbabwe, while MacGirl Sipini had her shot saved by Gordon, with Nokukhanya Ndlovu hitting the upright.
Majiya, Bonolo Mokoma, Khutso Pila and Zoe October were on target for Sasol Banyana Banyana as they secured a safe passage to the final where Namibia lies in wait, setting up the 2006 final between the two nations which South Africa won 3-1.

“When it came to the penalties most of the more junior players raised their hands to want to take the penalty and we only trained for one day, but they were so confident and the way they took their penalties I think we can be really proud of them. The country can be really proud of them because this is not just about preparing for the WAFCON but it’s also about looking long-term. If you look at the players that were on the pitch there definitely is a lot of potential and a bright future for South African women’s football,” added Dr Ellis.

Zimbabwe will now face Zambia in the third and fourth place play-off on Sunday at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium at midday.