Banyana Banyana’s coach Desiree Ellis has urged her players to take their warm-up matches seriously if they hope to make the World Cup finals roster.
Banyana began their preparations for next year’s World Cup in New Zealand and Australia with a friendly match against Brazil on Friday.
The South American Queens defeated the African Queens 3-0 with goals from Geyse Ferreira, Adriano Silva, and Tamires Britto.
Ellis believed that her team performed poorly due to individual errors, especially defensively, and their lack of creativity in front the goal.
Bongeka Gamede and Bambanani Mbane’s failed clearances led to the second and third goals in the first and second halves, respectively.
And with Banyana’s B-team performing well in the Cosafa Cup and reaching the semifinals, Ellis argues that any player can still make the World Cup final roster.
“We are continually seeking to expand this group. However, nobody’s position is assured. It was never. I reaffirmed this within the same group,” she stated.
“They may have a foot in the door, but that does not guarantee a spot on the final roster. No post is permanent. You are as excellent as your most recent match.
“They must constantly raise their hands. It is identical to what occurred in 2019. Players that were not on the team that played Wafcon were added.”
Banyana will play their second friendly against the Samba Queens on Monday evening at Moses Mabhida Stadium, looking to improve upon their performance on Friday.
“We must improve defensively and not panic while under pressure. “Believe in yourself because you are aware of your strengths and those of your teammates,” Ellis advised.
Even if we are under intense pressure, we must remain true to ourselves. We desire to play from the back, but we must have faith in ourselves.
“We must ensure that everything is done properly. Brazil frequently gained possession of the ball when we failed to rotate the ball quickly enough.”
Brazil is among the favorites to win next year’s global title, given that they are the reigning Copa America Femenina champions and have won eight titles.
In order to do well in their second consecutive World Cup, Banyana must learn as many lessons as possible.
In their first and final worldwide tournament, the South Africans were eliminated in the group stage by Spain, China, and Germany in France.
Ellis reacted on her team’s loss in Orlando, stating, “I was rather shocked that there were nerves, given that we’d previously faced such highly ranked nations.”
“However, I do not believe it was nerves. I believe it was due to the pressure they were under. However, we had stated that it would be a level above Wafcon.
It was out of character for some of the players to fold in that manner.
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