Banyana midfielder Motlhalo insists side will not panic after Tanzania shock

Banyana Banyana midfielder Linda Motlhalo says South Africa will not allow pressure to build in their Women’s Africa Cup of Nations campaign despite a surprise 2-1 defeat by Tanzania in their opening Group B match in Casablanca.

South Africa, runners-up at the last Wafcon and ranked second in Africa, were stunned by the group’s lowest-ranked team at the start of their title bid on Monday. Tanzania sit 18th on the continent and 122nd in the world, while Banyana Banyana are 57th in the Fifa rankings.

The result leaves South Africa with work to do ahead of their second Group B fixture against leaders Ivory Coast, who beat Burkina Faso 4-1 in Monday’s later game. Desiree Ellis’s side face the Ivorians at Moulay Rachid Stadium in Casablanca on Friday (19:00 SA time).

Reflecting on defeat and looking ahead

Motlhalo, who started the match, admitted the performance fell below the squad’s expectations but believes there is time to respond.

“Yes, it wasn’t the start that we wanted, but the biggest thing now is just to reflect on where we went wrong and take the positives out of that game and use them for the next game,” she said.

“There’s still more games to play, so we are not going to put ourselves under pressure.

“We know what we are capable of, and we will just do the work when we get to the field. As players, we understand that this is football, and sometimes things won’t go our way, so now we have to dig deep.

“This is a tournament … there’s still a long way to go.”

Ivory Coast’s emphatic win over Burkina Faso means South Africa will be up against the early pacesetters in the group when they return to Moulay Rachid Stadium. Banyana Banyana will likely need a positive result to keep their hopes of progressing firmly in their own hands.

Bittersweet milestone for Motlhalo

The loss coincided with a significant personal achievement for Motlhalo, who registered her 100th international appearance for Banyana Banyana against Tanzania.

The 25-year-old described the occasion as a proud one, even though the result took some shine off the milestone.

“I would say I celebrated my 100th cap, but I am always grateful to be representing my country. I feel honoured to be part of the elite group [of players who have amassed 100 caps],” she said.

Motlhalo, one of the senior figures in the squad, is expected to play a key role as South Africa attempt to regroup quickly for the remaining group fixtures after an opening setback that has tightened the margin for error in their Wafcon campaign.