3 March 2019 – Head coach of the Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana, Desiree Ellis, says they have worked on the mistakes that led to the disappointing 4-1 loss to Korea DPR and will now face the Czech Republic with renewed vigour.
South Africa and the Europeans meet in the third and final group stages match of the 2019 Cyprus Women’s Cup on Monday, 4 March at the Antonis Papadopoulis Stadium in Larnaca, Cyprus.
Kickoff is at 13h00.
Banyana Banyana looked pedestrian against the Koreans, but Ellis says while they are disappointed, it’s all part of the learning process.
After two rounds of matches, South Africa has amassed only one point – after the draw against Finland in the first game, and loss to the Asians.
They are now at the bottom of Group A, five points adrift of top-placed Korea.
In Czech Republic, South Africa comes up against a side they know all too well – the two nations met in the 2015 edition of this tournament, with Ellis’ charges going down 1-0.
Banyana Banyana is ranked 48thin the world, while the Czech Republic is 31st.
GROUP A
| TEAMS | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
| KOREA DPR | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 3 | 5 | 6 |
| CZECH REPUBLIC | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 3 |
| FINLAND | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | -1 | 1 |
| SOUTH AFRICA | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 6 | -3 | 1 |
GROUP B
| TEAMS | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
| ITALY | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 8 | 6 |
| THAILAND | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 3 |
| MEXICO | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 6 | -4 | 3 |
| HUNGARY | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 8 | -8 | 0 |
GROUP C
| TEAMS | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
| AUSTRIA | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| BELGIUM | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 4 |
| NIGERIA | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 7 | -2 | 3 |
| SLOVAKIA | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 7 | -4 | 0 |