Head coach of the South African Senior Women’s National Team (Banyana Banyana), Desiree Ellis, is well aware that their clash against hosts Cameroon will not be easy, but is confident her charges will pull it off.

The two nations meet on Tuesday, 22 November in the second match of the 2016 CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations currently underway in the west African country.

The clash will be played at Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo and kickoff is at 17h00 South African time.

Banyana Banyana are lying joint second with Zimbabwe after the two sides played to a goalless draw on Saturday (19 November), while Cameroon leads the group with three points following a 2-0 victory over Egypt.

Ellis says a win will give her side the much-needed enthusiasm to progress in the tournament.

“We have been in a similar position before when we had to beat the host nation (Equatorial Guinea) to qualify for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. We went there and did our job, and I believe we will do the same this time around. It will not be an easy game because they have the crowd behind them, and they are top of the group – so they wil come at us high in confidence,” said Ellis.

“We have to stay focussed on our mission and have to start the match on a very positive note – possibly start in gear six. It might not be a pretty game to watch but it is one where we have to win at all costs. We have the players to get us the desired result and enhance our chances of progressing to the semi-final. A draw or defeat is unthinkable.” said Ellis.

Egypt and Zimbabwe will face off in the other Group A match.