Interim Banyana Banyana head coach Desiree Ellis says past results will mean nothing when they face Zimbabwe in their first match of the 2016 Edition of the CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.

The tournament kicks off on Saturday, 19 November.

Banyana Banyana and The Mighty Warriors meet at Stade de Yaoundé.

Kickoff is at 19h00.

The two nations clashed recently in an international friendly match but Ellis says this is a different fixture altogether.

“We faced Zimbabwe last week in Harare and managed to score three goals, but this is a completely new match, we cannot afford to take them for granted – past results don’t count and the stakes are higher now, so we have to be at our best again to overcome them,” said Ellis.

“We believe they will come hard at us but our focus is on our team – we have to play our own game. We have to use our strengths to our advantage because it is important to open the tournament with a win so you don’t play catch up. We are very good play makers and we are able to create chances, what is crucial is to convert them and start off with a victory.”

The Sasol-sponsored Banyana have welcomed in camp USA-based striker Jermaine Seoposenwe who joined her teammates on Thursday night (17 November).

But they will be without goalkeeper Roxanne Barker who plies her trade in Holland – she is only epected in camp on Saturday night (19 November), thus making her unavailable for the first game.

Hosts Cameroon will open the tournament with a clash against Egypt in an earlier clash (16h30), also at Stade de Yaounde.

Defending champions Nigeria, are in Group B alongside Mali, Ghana and Kenya.

Only two teams from each group will proceed to the semi-finals.

The tournament ends on Saturday, 3 December.


BANYANA BANYANA GROUP STAGES FIXTURES:

South Africa vs Zimbabwe
Saturday, 19 November
18h30 (19h30)
Stade de Yaoundé

Cameroon vs South Africa
Tuesday, 22 November
16h00 (17h00)
Stade de Yaoundé

Egypt vs South Africa
Friday, 25 November
16h00 (17h00)
Stade de Limbé