Dos Santos slams terrible Banyana as Ivory Coast clash becomes must-win at Wafcon

Former Banyana Banyana coach Sergio Dos Santos says South Africa are in serious trouble at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations after what he described as a “terrible” display in their opening defeat by Tanzania.

Desiree Ellis’ side lost 2-1 in their first Group B match on Monday and now face an Ivory Coast team buoyed by a 4-1 win over Burkina Faso. South Africa meet the Ivorians on Friday in what Dos Santos believes is effectively a do-or-die fixture for the defending continental champions.

“Banyana were so bad against Tanzania I watched the first 20 minutes and switched off my TV,” Dos Santos told KickOff.

“I couldn’t watch. I always support Banyana, I always enjoy watching Banyana, but Tanzania were shocking and we were worse. I was very shocked.”

Former coach questions standards

Dos Santos, a long-time figure in South African football, said he was alarmed by what he perceived as a lack of organisation and fluency from a team that has built a strong reputation in recent years.

“It looked like they were all over the place. I didn’t see any cohesion,” he said.

“They were playing backwards and sideways. I was very disappointed. Banyana’s team over the last few years have progressed, but now I’m looking at this team, and I’m thinking to myself, where are the players? It looks like the standard is not the same as it was.”

South Africa, who have been among the continent’s leading women’s teams and have regularly challenged for honours at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, went into the tournament with expectations of reaching the latter stages again.

However, Dos Santos said the manner of the performance against Tanzania meant the result did not come as a shock to him once he later checked the scoreline.

“So, when I saw the result on Monday, I wasn’t surprised because Tanzania were bad, but Banyana were terrible,” he added.

Pressure mounting in Group B

The loss has left South Africa playing catch-up in Group B ahead of Friday’s second match against Ivory Coast, who sit top of the section after their emphatic opening victory.

“Now it’s going be tough because they’ve got to win the next game at all costs. Ivory Coast won their first game 4-1, so that means they are on top of the group already,” Dos Santos said.

“Banyana can’t get less than a draw against Ivory Coast, after which they have to make sure they get a win against Burkina Faso on Tuesday.

“A draw and a win for Banyana in their last two games, I’m sure it’s going get them through.”

The match against Ivory Coast is scheduled to kick off at 19:00 (SA time).