Banyana Banyana head coach Desiree Ellis says her team needs to win the first leg of their 2024 Olympic qualifiers against Democratic Republic Of Congo (DRC) to make things in the home leg a little easier.
The coach was addressing the media ahead of the first leg, which will kick off at Stade des Maryrs on Wednesday at 16:30.
This is Banyana’s first major assignment since returning from the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, where they made the historic achievement of reaching the knockout stages for the first time ever.
The coach had to endure some withdrawals from the original 23 member squad due to injuries to players like Nomvula Kgoale and Tiisetso Makhubela, while UWC captain Bongeka Gamede has exams and some overseas-based players joined the camp slightly late.
Coach Ellis was asked about the influence of striker Hilda Magaia, who missed the tour of USA at the press conference, and admitted she has the personnel to do the job but emphasised that of importance will be for Banyana to not concede and win in the first leg.
“I heard him mention the name Hildah Magaia. She was obviously very influential at the Africa Championship as well as the World Cup,” she responded.
“We know what’s ahead of us make no mistake but we feel we have enough in our team to be able to get a positive result.
“As I keep saying its’ not going to be an easy game but as I said we have the players that can make the difference. We want to make sure that we get a positive result so that we make the home leg easier.
“Make sure that we do not concede is the first thing and to make sure that when we get opportunities that we put it at the back of the net and make sure we come away with a good result.
“But none the less we are expecting a very difficult game.”
