Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis expressed immense pride in her team, despite their failure to reach the 2024 CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) final and relinquish their title as continental defending champions.
After an energy-sapping, nerve-wracking 120 minutes of extra-time plus penalties against Senegal in the quarterfinals, the South Africans went toe-to-toe with the Super Falcons in the last four on Tuesday at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca, Morocco.
Banyana Banyana ultimately lost 2-1 to the Nigerians, with goals from captain Rasheedat Ajibade and Michelle Alozie for Nigeria, while South Africa managed to pull one back through Linda Motlhalo from the penalty spot.
The defeat ended Banyana Banyana’s impressive 15-match unbeaten streak in open play at the WAFCON, all achieved under Ellis’s guidance.
Nigeria found their winning goal after a lengthy stoppage for medical attention given to Gabriela Salgado, who was eventually stretchered off and replaced by Sibulele Holweni.
Despite the disappointing loss, in a match where they enjoyed 54.5% ball possession and completed more passes than Nigeria (266 to 166), Ellis lauded her team’s performance.
“I think we didn’t take our chances – we had quite a few as well. Jermaine (Seoposenwe) was in on goal, Hilda (Magaia) was in on goal, Nox (Noxolo Cesane) was also in on goal before they even scored their second goal,” she noted.
“I thought we didn’t look like a team that went 120 minutes (against Senegal). We went toe-to-toe (with Nigeria), we gave as good as they gave, but unfortunately, they got the two goals, and that’s what it’s about.”
Ellis continued, “But I’m really proud of this team. I think after that injury, I don’t know what it is yet, but after that injury, I think it took us a while to get going again, and I think maybe that’s the reason why we conceded at the time we conceded. But big ups to Nigeria, they also kept going, and good luck to them.”
While Nigeria will travel to Rabat to face Morocco in the final on Saturday, South Africa will remain in Casablanca to conclude the tournament with a third-place play-off against Ghana, who lost to the hosts on penalties in the other semi-final.
Ellis stated that while their primary mission was to defend the title and make history, there’s still something significant to play for, and they will fight with everything they have left to return home with a medal.
“Most definitely, there’s disappointment with not getting to the final, of course, but there’s still something to play for, and that is important,” she affirmed.
“It’s not just the medal, but like I said, we’re going to try and do this for Gabriela. She is going home with an injury; we will make sure that she gets a medal because it’s important that we still fight for third place. So there’s still something to play for; it’s not just a playoff match that doesn’t mean anything. It’s a playoff match that gets you a medal, and I think it’s going to be important how we lift ourselves up after this and then get ready for that match.”
Meanwhile, midfielder Amogelang Motau has been ruled out of the remainder of the tournament due to an injury sustained against Senegal. She came on as a second-half substitute but was withdrawn at the start of extra-time.
Motau missed the semifinal clash against Nigeria and will not participate against Ghana in the bronze medal match on Friday. She will, however, remain with the team until the end of the competition.