Banyana Banyana Head Coach Dr Desiree Ellis was full of praise for her charges after they defeated a spirited Nigeria 2-1 on Thursday night and advanced to the next stage of the FIFA Women’s World Cup qualification play-offs.
In what was dubbed the final before the final, South Africa made one change from the starting line, bringing on Ronnel Donnelly for Noxolo Cesane at the Moulay Rachid Stadium in Casablanca, Morocco.
The 2022 African Champions stunned the 10-time CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) winners with goals from Thembi Kgatlana and captain Refiloe Jane. The Super Falcons pulled one back from the penalty spot after Jane was adjudged to have handled inside the box, and subsequently shown her second yellow of the match.
It was a nervy end to the clash as Nigeria threw everything at their opponents but the South African defence stood firm, ably assisted by goalkeeper Kaylin Swart who was awarded the Player of the Match accolade.
“I think we just like to make things difficult for ourselves, but the dream is still alive. I think we started really well, we had a lot of possession, but we never really threatened. I think they had more shots at goal, but when we came out at half time, we started moving the ball around.
They had a big chance, and Kaylin made a huge save and that was probably the turning point of the game. On the other side there was the penalty, but this team never gives up. I said yesterday we know how important this game means, there’s no motivation playing one of the big guns on the continent, and besides that there’s a lot at stake,” said Dr Ellis.
“Now we get another opportunity to go forward and our objective to qualify for the World Cup and we’re still in it. I just want to congratulate the players, the technical staff and everybody because it was a lot of hands on deck over these last couple of days to make sure that we get to this point. We changed the team a bit and I’m not sure they were not ready for that surprise. We saw how good they were, but I think we were very resolute. The dream is still alive.”
In the other World Cup play-off clash, Ghana came from behind to knock Ivory Coast out of contention for a World Cup spot in a 2-1 win. The two CAF representatives advance to the second phase and will now join four other nations in a six-team mini-tournament which includes two teams from Asia, one from South America and another from OFC, set to be played in November/December.
The top two in this round will progress to the final phase scheduled for February next year where the last three standing will qualify for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027.
