14 April 2022 – The South African Senior Women’s team coach Desiree Ellis remains positive despite Banyana Banyana’s defeat to the Netherlands in an international friendly match that was played at the Cars Jean Stadion in Netherlands on Tuesday, 12 April.
The visitors were beaten 5-1 by fifth ranked Dutch side in a match that formed part of their preparations for the Africa Women’s Cup of Nations to be hosted by Morocco in July.
Ellis said she was happy with the team’s mental and physical attitude something she says was what the technical staff wanted to achieve going forward.
“I felt that our defending at times let us down but we also created a few of chances. There were crucial moments where we thought that we were getting back into the game but we would concede and immediately. After half time we had an opportunity to change the score line when we were awarded a penalty that should have made it 3-2,’’ said Ellis.
“We wanted to see how the team plays under pressure and we were tested, mentally and physically. Now we hope the league starts as soon as possible to give players game time. We played against a team that just came from qualifiers as well and they had their best players on the pitch.’’
The Banyana Banyana coach said while the team played their hearts out throughout the game, fatigue played a huge role towards the end.
“We are not happy with the scoreline or the performance but we know what we need to do going forward,’’ concluded Ellis
Sasol Sponsorship Manager, Dean Sommerset who was part of the Sasol representatives that travelled with Banyana to Netherlands, emphasized Sasol’s confidence in the team as they continue with AWCON preparations.
“We remain confident that the team is on the right track with preparations for Awcon. They have once again demonstrated their Limitless courage to test their strength and endurance against the European side and we believe this will bear the fruits for the girls going into the continental women’s football showpiece and ultimately the FWome’s World Cup in New Zealand and Australia in 2023,’’ said Sommerset,
The team landed back in South Africa on Wednesday 13 April and local players are expected to be back with their teams in preparation for the new season of the Hollywoodbets Super League while the overseas-based players will continue at club level with their respective clubs.