Banyana Banyana coach Ellis insists World Cup hopes alive despite Tanzania shock

Desiree Ellis says South Africa remain firmly in contention for a place at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup despite a surprise 2-1 defeat by Tanzania in their Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) opener.

Banyana Banyana were outplayed for long spells in Casablanca on Monday as Tanzania claimed their first-ever win at the tournament, leaving the defending African champions under immediate pressure in Group B.

The result means South Africa are already playing catch-up in the race for the knockout phase, with only the four semi-finalists at WAFCON guaranteed spots at next year’s World Cup in Brazil.

Ellis, however, stressed that the setback had not altered the squad’s main objective.

“I think everybody is disappointed with the result and the performance, but we have to look towards the next game because we are still in it,” the head coach said.

“We still want to qualify for the World Cup and we know that the next game is a must-win.”

Must-win test against group leaders Ivory Coast

South Africa now face Ivory Coast on Friday in what already feels like a do-or-die fixture for their campaign.

Ivory Coast opened their tournament with a commanding 4-1 victory over Burkina Faso, a result that sent them to the top of Group B and underlined their status as one of West Africa’s established powers.

Ellis accepts her side must raise their level significantly against opponents she expects to pose an intense physical and tactical challenge.

“Obviously, we had said how important this game [against Tanzania] was. Now we are chasing in the group, so it’s up to us to raise our standards and show who we really are,” she said.

“Ivory Coast is going to be a big challenge again … another physical team from West Africa.”

Anything short of victory would leave Banyana’s hopes of progressing – and, by extension, their World Cup ambitions – in serious jeopardy before their final Group B fixture.

Signs of promise amid disappointment

Despite frustration at both the result and the display in Casablanca, Ellis highlighted aspects of South Africa’s second-half performance that offered some encouragement.

Banyana Banyana created a series of chances after the interval, suggesting that the reigning continental champions still possess enough attacking quality to turn their campaign around if they can be more clinical and secure at the back.

“The positives we can take out of the Tanzania game are that we created opportunities,” Ellis said.

“I thought in the second half we were better on the ball, but we know how good we can be on the ball.”

The coach, who has overseen some of the most successful years in South African women’s football, was more critical of the defensive lapses that allowed Tanzania to seize control and ultimately close out a historic victory.

“Defensively, there’re some screws we can still tighten there because we could have done better in both goals we conceded,” she admitted.

Response will define South Africa’s campaign

Ellis will now look to her experienced core of players to deliver the kind of reaction that has characterised much of her tenure in charge of the national side.

A win over Ivory Coast would not only revive South Africa’s prospects of reaching the WAFCON quarter-finals, but also restore momentum towards their primary target of securing a place at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

With no room left for error, Banyana Banyana head into Friday’s match knowing that their title defence and World Cup journey may hinge on 90 minutes against the group leaders.