Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis has told her players to take control from the first whistle against Madagascar. The two teams meet on Friday in the first leg of a qualifier for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
The match will be played at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein, with kickoff at 3pm. The second leg is set for Tuesday next week at the same stadium, IOL reported.
“From the first whistle, we’ve got to stamp our authority. We’ve got to show why we are Banyana and who we are, and make sure that we take the game away from them completely,” Ellis said.
Madagascar is listed as the home team for the first game. The match was moved to South Africa because the island nation does not have a suitable venue.
Madagascar also asked for Friday’s match to be played behind closed doors. This means no fans will be in the stadium to watch the 2022 African champions.
Banyana are ranked higher than Madagascar and beat them when the sides met in 2018 and 2019. Ellis said her team would still not take the game lightly.
“We are a team that never underestimates any opponent. The rankings don’t mean anything. It’s 11 versus 11, and if you don’t take the game seriously, before you know it, you’re chasing the game,” she said.
Ellis said a good result in the first leg would ease pressure before the return game. She said it would also help the team prepare for the Fifa Women’s World Cup play-offs in November.
“It’s not just about this game, it’s also about the game in November. We are using it two-fold because you have very little time to prepare,” Ellis said.
She added that keeping a clean sheet was important. She said the team expects to create chances and must make sure it scores from them.
Several players based overseas have already joined the camp. They include Thembi Kgatlana from Mexico, Linda Motlhalo from Scotland, Bongeka Gamede from Denmark and Hildah Magaia from Saudi Arabia.
Amogelang Motau, who also plays in Mexico, was due to arrive on Wednesday. Defender Bambanani Mbane will miss the games after returning home to continue her injury rehabilitation.
The squad mixes experienced players with younger ones. Siyamthanda Qashani earned a call-up after strong performances for her club, TUT.
“We’ve always been a team that has refreshed the squad and brought in newer, younger players. It’s not about age,” Ellis said.
“Where we’re going, we need to find the right balance and the right mix between youth and experience because it’s not going to be a walk in the park. The dream is still alive,” she said.
South Africa last played at the Olympic Games in Rio in 2016. The team missed out on the last two Games.
Ellis asked fans in Bloemfontein to fill the Free State Stadium for the second leg on Tuesday. “We’re hoping that for the second game, the fans come out and fill up the stadium to show Madagascar what they missed,” she said.
Source: this article is based on reporting by IOL Sport. Image: IOL Sport. Written with the help of AI and published by the Tzaneen Voice Sports desk. See our Editorial Standards.
Tiyani Mathebula writes about sport for Tzaneen Voice. Tiyani covers Bafana Bafana, the Springboks, the Proteas and the PSL, along with athletics, tennis and local club sport. Match reports and previews focus on results, team news, fixtures and what each game means for South African teams and fans.