‘We Want to Be Champions’ – Banyana Goalkeeper

Banyana Banyana will be going into Sunday’s COSAFA Women’s Championship final at Wolfson Stadium in Port Elizabeth against Zambia, hoping to defend their title for the third time.

It has been an outstanding campaign so far for Desiree Ellis and her ladies where in the group stages they collected nine points from three matches against Comoros, Malawi and Madagascar, as well as the semi-final victory against Zimbabwe. However, the focus will now shift to the final round as it promises to be a different ball game, considering that their opponents are a force to be reckoned with.

The South African players have been strategically planning for the match and goalkeeper Kaylin Swart is excited about getting the opportunity to be in yet another final in the regional tournament, saying: “It’s always going to be exciting.

“The fact that it’s the third time running and everyone’s excited about it.” – Banyana Banyana goalkeeper Kaylin Swart

“But we know what’s at stake. It’s not going to be easy, but I think everyone’s ready for it,” she continued.

“Obviously we want to be champions for the third time, but we got to put in the work for 90 minutes and we’re going to have to work hard and put in the goals. We’ve been scoring goals, so I don’t think that we should stop now,” Swart added.

Speaking on their opponents, Swart is aware of what the Zambians bring to the table and pointed out that they will have to put their best foot forward to ensure that they walk away with the crown.

“They are a feisty team. They aren’t going to give up easily and they are going to come at us, that’s for sure. We got a taste of them at AFCON and it wasn’t easy in Ghana. We watched them, they watched us, we played against each other, so over the years I think we have built a bit of a rivalry.

“Sunday is going to be tough. They are going to be preparing as hard as we are preparing for them,” she ended.

COSAFA Women’s Championship Fixtures:
Third/Fourth Place Play-Off:
15h00 – 10 August, 2019: Botswana v Zimbabwe, Wolfson Stadium

Final:
14h00 – 11 August, 2019: Zambia v South Africa, Wolfson Stadium

Photo 1 Caption: Banyana Banyana goalkeeper, Kaylin Swart (left in the backrow) featured in the match against Malawi on 2 August, 2019, where the South Africans fought back to claim a 3-1 victory at the COSAFA Women’s Championship in Port Elizabeth. Photo: Sydney Mahlangu/ BackpagePix