Desiree Ellis tells South Africa ‘we’re still in it’ before crucial WAFCON finale

South Africa head coach Desiree Ellis says Banyana Banyana still have a chance of reaching the quarter-finals of the CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, despite needing victory in their final Group B match and help from the result between Ivory Coast and Tanzania.

South Africa fought back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Ivory Coast in a dramatic encounter that kept their campaign alive. Captain Thembi Kgatlana began the comeback with a spectacular strike before substitute Hildah Magaia scored a late equaliser to secure a vital point.

The result leaves Banyana Banyana bottom of Group B with one point from two matches. Ivory Coast lead the section on four points, while Tanzania and Burkina Faso have three points each.

Ellis’ team must beat Burkina Faso in their final group fixture to retain any possibility of progressing to the knockout stages. However, even a victory would not guarantee qualification.

South Africa also need the outcome of the other final group match, between Ivory Coast and Tanzania, to go in their favour. Their position means their quarter-final hopes are no longer entirely under their control.

“We’re still in it,” Ellis said after the draw.

“All we can do is try to do our job, win the match and score some goals, because that’s all we can control and the other results are not up to us but if we do that then we give ourselves a chance.”

Every team in Group B can still qualify for the next round, setting up a tense final round of matches.

“We’re still in it but when I look at the group, it’s now become a must win for everyone in the group so all we can do is win and wait for the final result in the match between Tanzania and the Ivory Coast.”

South Africa’s recovery against Ivory Coast demonstrated their resilience, but Ellis acknowledged that a repeat of their slow opening could prove costly against Burkina Faso.

Ivory Coast exploited Banyana Banyana’s vulnerability to pace twice during the first half, with Grace Sery scoring both goals to put the Lady Elephants in control. Kgatlana and Magaia then led South Africa’s response after the interval.

“This team has shown the courage and the resilience and it’s not just this game, even against Tanzania, we created opportunities towards the end and almost scored. Today we were unlucky as well in the end.”

Ellis said the way her players performed after the break showed the approach they must adopt from the opening whistle in their final match.

“How we played the second half is how we should be starting the game, right from the get-go we should go full throttle because that’s what it’s gonna take to get a result in the next game.”

The draw with Ivory Coast prevented South Africa’s tournament from ending after two matches, but the margin for error has now disappeared. Banyana Banyana need three points against Burkina Faso, while also waiting to discover whether Ivory Coast can prevent Tanzania from earning the result it requires.

The final Group B fixtures will therefore determine whether South Africa’s spirited comeback marks the beginning of another recovery or the end of their WAFCON campaign.