Banyana Banyana head coach Dr Desiree Ellis has defended her choice of goalkeepers in the 1-1 draw with Tanzania at the on-going Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), saying South Africa are privileged to have two quality keepers.
Ellis started Kaylin Swart for her side’s second Group C match against the Twiga Stars, having played Andile Dlamini in the 2-0 opener against Ghana last Monday – much to the critique of fans and pundits.
Banyana currently top Group C with four points, the same number of points as their next opponents Mali, and will need to win that encounter to secure a safe passage to the knockout round.
Ellis’ change left question marks after Dlamini had a good game backed up by a clean sheet and several saves, but the four-time CAF Women’s Coach of the Year insisted the margins between the two players are small.
“We also had a different strategy, because we felt that their players pushing up,” said Ellis when asked if the change in keepers was part of her pre-tournament strategy.
“We could hit them on the sides and before that we felt that Kaylin could do that, but there’s very small margins between both Andile and Kaylin. I think we are privileged to have two top quality goalkeepers.
“So anyone can come in on the day and stand in the goals, and there’s probably not many teams that have two quality goalkeepers like ours.
“I think if either of them goes to another country, they’ll probably be the number one.”
