Banyana Banyana head coach Desiree Ellis has expressed concerns that fatigue could be a significant factor when her team faces Jamaica in Montego Bay on Saturday morning.
This match marks the first of two encounters between the teams, part of South Africa’s preparation for next year’s CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, scheduled for July.
Following a demanding season, most players have wrapped up their club duties, and Ellis emphasized the urgency for the team to adapt quickly.
“We had two training sessions before our trips to Denmark and England, which were essentially match-day minus two and match-day minus one,” Ellis explained.
“We’re accustomed to this, but it’s challenging. New players are joining, and it takes time for everyone to adjust. However, we need to hit the ground running and ensure that everyone understands their role.”
Ellis acknowledged that jetlag could affect performance as the game progresses, noting the added challenge of a long season.
“Managing fatigue will be crucial, and it will be important for us to handle it well,” she added. “In the second match, we should be in a better position to recover from jetlag, but maintaining energy levels is a priority.”
The team has already been impacted by the absence of key players. Jermaine Seoposenwe and Thembi Kgatlana are sidelined due to their commitments with the Mexican league, while Bambanani Mbane and Karabo Dhlamini are out with injuries.
Additionally, Ellis revealed further player withdrawals before the team’s departure, adding more strain to the squad.
“Unfortunately, Hildah Magaia picked up an injury at her club, and we only received notice of that late. Sibulele is also unwell, and we had information about Karabo’s injury from Mamelodi Sundowns. Nthabiseng Majiya joined camp late and was later found to be injured, so she couldn’t travel,” Ellis explained.
Despite these setbacks, Ellis called up Thubelihle Shamase, who is familiar with the team, and Antonia Maponya, who played in the 2022 match against Zambia.
“Dealing with injuries at this stage of the season is tough. Players have also been involved in the Champions League, and we faced similar challenges last year with injuries and exams,” Ellis noted.
“Exams have also impacted our selection, as we couldn’t include some players we were hoping to assess.”
