Desiree Ellis’ Banyana Banyana are heading back to the FIFA Women’s World Cup after their 1-0 victory in the quarter-final round of the 2022 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations on Thursday, 14 July.
The South African tactician, who is known for being thorough in planning and preparing a team for the big stage, has for the second time in a row qualified Banyana Banyana to the world showpiece – yet another career milestone.
“I thought we started very well but then we stopped. We kept creating chances and as the game went on, the players felt pressure and we tried to calm them down. We made some team mistakes. We had so many chances that we could have just knocked in and we didn’t do that. They were so clear cut but at the end of the day, we showed a lot of character. But hey, we are going to the World Cup!,” she said with an ear-to-ear smile after the game.
Ellis further explained: “Now that we have qualified, the players will have no pressure because you know when you lose here, you have to go to the other route and you do not want to go to that route. Ultimately, we are now going to the World Cup. That pressure is now off their shoulders and now they can prepare for the next game.”
It is now four out of four in the competition for the 2018 finalists who have progressed to the semifinals of the continental tournament and are in contention for their first ever WAFCON title.
“The squad we selected was versatile. Each one fights for one another. The technical staff is fantastic. Credit must go to all of them. This victory is for everyone back home.”
“The situation back home is not good. There is a lot of loadshedding and some of them might not have seen the game so this victory is for 53 million people out there. We received so many messages wishing us well on social media and on WhatsApp and phone calls etc so this one is for everyone out there – the coaches and players that have come before,”Ellis concluded.
South Africa will face Zambia in the second semi-final on Monday, 18 July.
Nigeria Keep AWCON Title Dreams Alive
Defending champions Nigeria kept alive their hopes of retaining their Africa Women’s Cup of Nations title after narrowly defeating arch-rivals Cameroon 1-0 to reach the semi-finals.
The Super Falcons also secured their place at the 2023 Women’s World Cup thanks to the victory at the Complexe Sportif Mohamed V in the Moroccan city of Casablanca.
The defending champions needed a solitary strike from in-form Rasheedat Ajibade in the quarter-final match to get past Indomitable Lionesses.
The first half was quite balanced and tight as both teams tried to create scoring opportunities but the efforts were thwarted by some tough defending before the break.
Nigeria got the breakthrough eleven minutes into the second period with their first shot on target through Atletico Madrid star Ajibade.
Ajibade headed home her third goal of the tournament from a brilliant Onumonu Ifeoma Chukwufunmnaya cross from the right following some dazzling efforts by Ngozi Sonia Okobi.
Cameroon tried to get an equaliser with attempts from Aboudi Onguene, Nchout Njoya and Abam all proving futile as the Super Falcons defence led by skipper Onome Ebi and goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie were pivotal.
Nigeria will now face host country Morocco in the semi-finals on Monday.
Results: 2022 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations on Thursday, 14 July
Cameroon 0-1 Nigeria
South Africa 1-0 Tunisia
Fixtures: 2022 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations Semi-Finals on Monday, 18 July
19h00: Zambia vs South Africa
22h00: Morocco vs Nigeria
Photo 1 Caption: Desiree Ellis’ Banyana Banyana are heading back to the FIFA Women’s World Cup after their 1-0 victory in the quarter-final round of the 2022 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations on Thursday, 14 July. Photo: CAF Online
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