7 June 2018 – Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis is a difficult person to satisfy.

After her squad came off Maseru, Lesotho with a credible 1-0 away win in the tricky first leg of the CAF Women’s Nations Cup, Ellis was far from being impressed arguing the team could have done better.

That is how hard it is to satisfy the former Banyana Banyana captain who is now at the helm of the very squad she once played for.

Ellis said the team didn’t play well, was sloppy, with the passing leaving a lot to be desired.

“We scored early but didn’t stay focussed, something I impressed upon the players that it is never over until it’s over,” she said.

“We were in control of the game but because we lost focus it turned into a battle; we still created a lot of chances and could have killed off the tie but these are some of the issues we will continue to work on.”

She said the team that took onto the pitch had what it takes to get a convincing result but unfortunately it didn’t work out the way everyone wanted.

“We brought some young new players from u17 and u20 because we want them to have progression with the team and some have raised their hands.  Some senior players also need to step up because we need to take on our chances. We can’t continue to create so many chances but fail to take them.

“And normally when you don’t put away your chances you tend to get punished as what nearly happened with us – Lesotho almost punished us with that one chance (though it was from an offside position). But if you don’t take your chances, that is what normally happens,” said Ellis.

The Banyana Banyana coach said she can’t fault preparations as the women’s league is currently active which allows the players to play.

“We just failed to take all our chances but we have a second leg in which the fans will be fully behind the girls and it will be a different ball game altogether. We want to make the fans happy.”

The second leg will take place on Sunday, 10 June 2018 at Dr Petrus Molemela stadium and Ellis has urged fans to come in their numbers to boost the girls’ morale.