Motlhalo calls for resilience as Banyana face must‐win WAFCON test against Ivory Coast

Banyana Banyana midfielder Linda Motlhalo has urged her team-mates to “dig deep” as South Africa face a crucial Women’s Africa Cup of Nations group clash against Ivory Coast on Monday night, with their FIFA Women’s World Cup qualification hopes already under severe threat.

Desiree Ellis’ side were left with “a mountain to climb” in the tournament after a dismal opening performance against Tanzania, widely regarded as group underdogs, in their first match of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).

That result has piled pressure on the defending African champions, who now confront group leaders Ivory Coast in their second fixture needing a positive outcome to revive a faltering campaign.

Qualification stakes high

With only two group matches remaining, Banyana Banyana know that nothing less than victory in both will realistically be enough to keep them in contention for progression to the knockout stages and, with it, a route towards World Cup qualification.

Ellis and her players are fully aware that defeat against Ivory Coast would leave their chances of advancing hanging by a thread, while a draw would also leave them heavily reliant on other results and goal difference.

Despite the setback against Tanzania, the mood in camp remains defiant, with senior figures in the squad stressing that the situation, while difficult, is not yet irretrievable.

Motlhalo backs response

Motlhalo, who recently celebrated her 100th appearance for Banyana Banyana, believes the team have both the experience and mentality to respond to their early setback.

Speaking to SABC News, she acknowledged the disappointment of the opening display but insisted the squad had the character to respond.

“As players we understand that this is football, and sometimes things won’t go our way, but the biggest thing is to dig deep, and it’s a tournament, in a tournament there is lot of games that are gonna be played, so for us is to dig deep and play one game at a time,” Motlhalo said.

She emphasised the importance of remaining calm despite the mounting pressure and the limited margin for error.

“There are still more games to play, and it’s very important games, and we not going to put ourselves under pressure, and we know what we capable of, and we must do the work when we get to the field.”

Must-beat Ivory Coast

Banyana Banyana go into the Ivory Coast match knowing victory is essential if they are to put themselves in a strong position to reach the next round.

Three points against the Ivorians would keep South Africa’s campaign alive going into their final group game, offering a chance to recover from their poor start and reassert themselves as one of the continent’s leading sides.

Anything less than a win, however, would leave Ellis’ team facing the prospect of an early exit from a competition in which expectations were high following their recent achievements on the African stage.

As it stands, Banyana Banyana’s path is clear: beat Ivory Coast, win their remaining group fixture, and hope that their response to adversity is enough to salvage their WAFCON and World Cup ambitions.