Banyana Banyana Coach Urges Caution Ahead of Olympic Qualifier Second Leg Against Tanzania

Banyana Banyana head coach, Desiree Ellis, has emphasized the importance of staying focused and not underestimating their opponents as they prepare for the second leg of the Olympics qualifier against Tanzania.

The South African national women’s team, Banyana Banyana, is determined to redeem themselves after missing out on the opportunity to participate in the Tokyo Olympics by securing a spot in the upcoming Paris Olympics scheduled for July-August.

In the first leg of the qualifier against Tanzania, Banyana Banyana displayed an impressive performance with goals from Jermaine Seoposenwe, Hildah Magaia, and Thembi Kgatlana, giving them a comfortable 3-0 lead heading into the second leg.

Despite the positive outcome of the first leg, coach Desiree Ellis remains cautious, acknowledging that complacency could be detrimental, and that the team must not take their lead for granted.

Ellis stated, “The job isn’t yet finished. We are not going to become complacent. The next goal in the match could change things, so we have to maintain our focus and stay disciplined throughout the game.”

Reflecting on the upcoming match against Tanzania at Mbombela Stadium, Ellis highlighted the importance of scoring the next goal to secure their position in the final round against familiar rivals Nigeria.

Player Hildah Magaia echoed Ellis’ sentiments, expressing optimism and motivation following their victory in the first leg. Magaia emphasized the advantage of playing on home turf and the support of their fans as they aim to secure their spot in the next round of qualifiers.

The match between Banyana Banyana and Tanzania is set to take place at Mbombela Stadium with kick-off scheduled for 5pm, and the winner will advance to face Nigeria for a chance to qualify as one of the two African representatives at the Olympics.