7 August 2019 – Head coach of Banyana Banyana Desiree Ellis believes her charges will be tested when they face neighbours Zimbabwe in the semifinals of the 2019 COSAFA Women’s Championship currently underway in Port Elizabeth.
South Africa managed nine out of nine points in three matches when they brushed aside the Comoros Islands (17-0), Malawi (3-1) and Madagascar (3-0) in the group stages of the tournament.
Ellis says they now have to be more focused as Zimbabwe as a very formidable opponent.
The two nations last met in the final of the 2017 edition of this competition, with South Africa emerging victorious – Thembi Kgatlana and Leandra Smeda scored for Banyana Banyana (and both are not playing in the tournament due to club commitments).
Zimbabwe and South Africa meet on Thursday, 8 August at Wolfson Stadium.
Kickoff is at 15h30.
The winner will face the victors in the other semifinal fixture between Zambia and Botswana in the final, scheduled for Sunday.
Here is what Ellis had to say: