Banyana Banyana coach, Desiree Ellis, says getting a positive result against Botswana in the first leg of their 2020 Olympic qualifier, is part of building on the work of previous coaches.
Banyana qualified for two previous Olympic Games and Ellis says as much Friday’s encounter against Botswana is going to be tough, advancing to the next round is crucial.
Matches between Banyana Banyana and Botswana have been tough and close and the South Africans expect nothing less in Gaberone on Friday.
Banyana have grown in leaps and bounds since Ellis took over, and were among the African representatives at the World Cup in France earlier in 2019. But playing the Zebras in their own backyard, in front of their own fans is not going to be a walk in the park.
However, building on the work done by previous coaches by qualifying for a third Olympic Games, is crucial.
The South Africans want to win the first leg of their second round fixture away so they have an advantage going into next week’s second leg.
Captain Refiloe Jane says “Its going to be an important match especially because it’s away, that’s why we want to wrap it so that when we play them at home its easier.”
Banyana will be without the injured duo of captain, Janine van Wyk, and striker Thembi Kgatlana as well as her Beijing Phoenix team-mate, Linda Motlhalo.
Coach Desiree Ellis says: “I feel that the players that have come in are just as able to step up given a chance in the past and stepped up we are hoping they can do that also.”
The team leaves for Botswana on Wednesday with the second leg of the tie to be played on Tuesday at the Dobsonville stadium.
