By Michael Madyira
Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis is satisfied that her girls picked themselves up from their humiliating 5-0 defeat by Denmark to push England to the edge as they concluded their tour of Europe.
On Tuesday, South Africa were edged 2-1 by European champions England in an international friendly match in Coventry.
It was an improvement from Friday’s 5-0 demolition by Denmark, and Ellis is happy her girls drew lessons from that heavy defeat to frustrate the Lionesses.
“There were a lot of things we didn’t do well in the match against Denmark that we rectified against England,” Ellis told Safa’s media department.
“We were well organised in defence and believe that we created a lot of chances.”
England raced to a 2-0 first-half lead, promising to go on the rampage, but the African champions made them sweat in the second half.
From the team that started against the Danes, Banyana made four changes, including bringing in Linda Motlhalo, Hilda Magaia, and Thembi Kgatlana, who scored.
The full-strength line-up almost stole a draw.
“This match could have gone either way, and we are extremely proud of our players because they matched England,” Ellis said.
Banyana is playing against high-profile opponents as they prepare for the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon).
“Yes, we have areas to work on, and we are doing so by playing matches such as these two against England and Denmark.”
Preparations for Wafcon continue at the end of November and the beginning of December, when Banyana Banyana head to the Caribbean for back-to-back matches against Jamaica.
