Monday, November 4, 2024
HomeBanyana BanyanaEllis Responds To Questions On Matlou & Dlamini Omissions  

Ellis Responds To Questions On Matlou & Dlamini Omissions  

Banyana Banyana head coach Desiree Ellis has explained why defender Noko Matlou and goalkeeper Andile Dlamini have not appeared in team’s starting 11 at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup so far.  

Despite featuring prominent at last year’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations triumph, the duo hasn’t featured in Banyana’a matches at the global showpiece in Australia and New Zealand, with the coach starting Bongeka Gamede and Kaylin Swart instead.

South Africa lost 2-1 to Sweden in their Group G opener and drew 2-2 with Argentina with the pair on the bench.

In both matches Banyana took the lead, but struggled to defend set-pieces well and conceded heartbreaking goals late in the game. This led to questions on the non-usage of Matlou and Dlamini, who had been regulars prior the tournament and have experience.

South Africa could make history and qualify for the knockout phase of the World Cup should they win against Italy and the result between Sweden and Argentina rolls in their favour on Wednesday.

As it stands Sweden tops the Group with six points, followed by Italy with three, Banyana are in third place with a point followed by Argentina with a point as well in fourth spot.

Ellis addressed the media via a Zoom press conference on Monday ahead of the crucial clash with Italy in midweek. The coach stood her ground on her stance with picking Swart over Dlamini, saying her first choice had better stats than most goalkeepers at the tournament and is better with the ball at her feet.

“I’m not sure what that is based on because if you look at Kaylin’s involvement you know including the back passes are higher than many of the goalkeepers in the tournament,” said Ellis.

“And we selected Kaylin specifically for this because she is able to assist us when we go back to get us on the front foot as well.”

And on Matlou, whose height is also considered an advantage, the coach defended her stance saying the team was disorganised.

“Look I don’t think it was a height problem.

“I think it was more of an organisational problem, as Sweden scored one out of the 13 corners that they had and you if you look they scored three out of almost seven against Italy who had more players than ours that had higher heights.

“The second goal that we conceded where the Argentine headed the ball, that player was only 1.5 meters. So it’s more of an organisational problem than a height problem.”

Banyana’s match against Italy kicks off at 9:00 at the Wellington Regional Stadium on Wednesday.

Lethabo Kganyago
Lethabo Kganyago
Lethabo Kganyago is currently working as a web and newspaper writer for iDiski Times. This award-winning sports journalist covers the Limpopo area and also specialises in coverage of women's football, including Banayana Banyana.
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