Despite securing the 2024 COSAFA Women’s Championship semis spot, Banyana Banyana go into their final Group A tie against minnows Seychelles with no intention of taking their foot off the paddle.
Maud Khumalo’s troops secured a last four berth for the first time in two years after thumping Eswatini 3-0 on Friday and take on the tournament debutants at Madibaz Stadium this afternoon at 15:00.
South Africa is the most successful team of the regional tournament with seven titles out of 12 editions, however haven’t lifted the trophy since 2020, with coach Khumalo urging his side to make sure that they end the group stage without conceding.
“Looking at our group the people that gave us a bit of a shake-up is Namibia in terms of their physic and in terms of their running,” Khumalo told Safa.net.
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“We saw Zimbabwe, we saw Mozambique, Lesotho, Malawi and Botswana as well so we are planning for the next game hence we are saying that we need to manage the players very well.
“Also, remember you are planning according to the opponents, so we know what we are up against. We know they are going to come to us very strong. So, we need to be very composed in the sense that we don’t want players to panic.
“As long as we don’t concede we are still going to have another opportunity to get to the finals.”
Meanwhile, the senior Banyana side have been bolstered by the arrivals of four overseas-based players for the international friendly against England in Coventry on Tuesday night. The Mexico-based duo of Thembi Kgatlana and Sinoxolo Cesane and US-based pair of Linda Motlhalo and Hildah Magaia have joined the squad after missing last week’s 5-0 loss to Denmark due to residency permit issues.
Magaia says it feels great to reunite with the team having not being together for a long time.
“The Bread Winner” reflected on the Denmark loss saying the African champions did well in the first half however lapsed in the second stanza. The KC Current striker adds that she is expecting a high intensity match from the European champions which will need from South Africa.
“A high intensity match, a very competitive match both physically and challenging psychologically because we have to deal with some duels.
“We have to deal with a lot of things on the field. But overall, I can say a high intensity game that will require focus from the first minute until the 90th minute.”
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