Ellis backs Banyana Banyana response after shock Wafcon defeat to Tanzania

Desiree Ellis insists Banyana Banyana can recover their Women’s Africa Cup of Nations campaign and still reach the World Cup despite a surprise 2-1 defeat by Tanzania in their Group B opener in Casablanca.

South Africa, who are defending Wafcon champions, were well below their usual standards as Tanzania recorded their first-ever win at the tournament at Moulay Rachid Stadium on Monday. Ranked 122nd in the world and 18th in Africa, the Twiga Stars stunned Ellis’s side and left them under pressure ahead of Friday’s meeting with Ivory Coast at the same venue (19:00 SA time).

“I think everybody is disappointed with the result and the performance, but we have to look towards the next game because we are still in it,” said Ellis.

“We still want to qualify for the World Cup and we know that the next game is a must-win.”

Must-win clash with Ivory Coast

Ivory Coast lead Group B after beating Burkina Faso 4-1 in their opener on Monday evening, setting up a crucial second-round fixture against Banyana Banyana.

Ellis expects a demanding and physical contest against the West Africans as South Africa chase their first points of the tournament.

“Ivory Coast is going to be a big challenge again … another physical team from West Africa,” the Banyana coach said.

“Obviously, we had said how important this game [against Tanzania]. Now we are chasing in the group, so it’s up to us to raise our standards and show who we really are.”

How Tanzania stunned South Africa

Tanzania went ahead in the 37th minute through Diana Msewa, who dispossessed Robyn Moodaly in midfield before driving at the defence and finishing past the advancing Andile Dlamini.

Banyana Banyana levelled just before half-time when Bambanani Mbane rose to head in from a corner, briefly restoring belief for the South Africans after a subdued opening period.

But with three minutes of normal time remaining, Hasnath Ubamba struck the decisive blow. Collecting the ball from a throw-in, Ubamba beat Dlamini at her near post in the 87th minute to secure a landmark victory for Tanzania and leave Ellis’s team with no margin for error.

Ellis admitted her side had not defended well enough at key moments.

“Defensively, there’re some screws we can still tighten there because we could have done better in both goals we conceded,” she said.

Focus on improvement – and World Cup goal

Despite the defeat, Ellis highlighted aspects of the performance she believes can be built on ahead of the Ivory Coast game.

“The positives we can take out of the Tanzania game are that we created opportunities,” she said.

“I thought in the second half we were better on the ball, but we know how good we can be on the ball.”

Ellis and her squad remain focused on the broader objective of reaching next year’s World Cup in Brazil. The four semi-finalists at this Wafcon will qualify for the global tournament, meaning progression from the group stage remains essential for Banyana Banyana’s ambitions.