Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis has spoken ahead of her side's reverse fixture against the Super Falcons of Nigeria.
Banyana Banyana suffered a 1-0 defeat against the Super Falcons in the first leg of the final 2024 Olympic Games qualifier at the MKO Abiola Stadium on Friday.
Rasheedat Ajibade scored the only goal of the game from the spot in the 42nd minute after Chinwendu Ihezuou was brought down in the box.
Despite evident disappointment with Friday's results, Ellis remains optimistic about her side's chances in the second leg. She stressed the magnitude of the Olympics and emphasised the importance of self-motivation among her players ahead of this crucial encounter, where everything is at stake.
Desiree Ellis on Banyana's loss to the Super Falcons and strategy for the second leg
Speaking to the press after the game, Desiree Ellis provided insights into her team's performance and strategies for the reverse fixture.
She acknowledged the shortcomings of their play in the first half, citing a lack of cohesion and over-reliance on long balls.
She underlined the need for better control and decision-making, particularly evident in the penalty conceded. However, Ellis found solace in the team's improved performance in the second half, despite failing to find the equaliser.
Looking ahead to the second leg, Ellis remained focused on the task at hand, recognising the importance of home advantage while remaining cautious of Nigeria's capabilities.
She stressed the necessity of thorough recovery protocols and strategic analysis to rectify mistakes and improve performance. Above all, Ellis highlighted the intrinsic motivation of competing in the Olympics and the team's responsibility to seize the opportunity and dictate the game.
“Look, I think in the first we didn't play,” said the Banyana Banyana coach after the match. “We were too far apart and kept playing the long ball. They read that very well with Thembi (Kgatlana),” she continued.
“We didn't have someone who could put the foot on the ball and I thought the way we gave the penalty away we could have handled the situation much better. But in the second half we came out and we started playing and created a couple of chances but we just couldn't get that equaliser. As we say it's halftime and we're looking forward to taking the game to Pretoria.”
While happy that South Africa will have home advantage in the second leg, Ellis remains wary of Nigeria and cautioned against switching off at critical moments. “I think it's the same for both teams,” said Ellis of the second leg.
“We're both ball playing teams and surely it hindered us especially in the first half where we couldn't get going. But surely in the second half we rectified things and we started playing. But we're going back to familiar surroundings. We thought that they will cut the grass (Abuja) after our training session yesterday (Thursday) but unfortunately that didn't happen.
“We're not looking for any excuses, we had chances to equalise, but as we say it's halftime and we just have to make sure we're the first team to score going back to Pretoria.”
To win the second leg, the 61-year-old said there are a couple of factors they needed to adhere to as a team, and that the team's recovery was crucial so they could be ready and fresh for the second leg.
“Our recovery has to be brilliant and everybody has to take due recovery protocols so that we recover really, really well because there's very little time in between,” said Ellis who has three days to prepare for the second leg.
“We have to look at the footage to see how we can rectify things and how we can be better. We need to score but we need to be aware to not concede and make sure that we score first to get the game back on an even keel and then try to control it, which we did in the second half. But you don't need any motivation,” insisted Ellis.
“Going to the Olympics is huge so you don't need motivation to lift yourself up. You don't need motivation to change your mentality. But it's now up to us to take the game to them and make sure that we score and also make sure that we're settled in defence and we don't concede. They don't have to come (and attack), they can sit back but the onus is on us (to attack). We're going back to familiar surroundings and we hope to take the game to them.”
When will the second leg be played between Banyana and the Super Falcons?
The two teams now take their battle to Loftus Versfeld Stadium for the second-leg encounter slated for Tuesday 9th April, 2024.
The winner of that encounter will gain one of Africa's two slots to the Olympics and will join Group C according to the draw outcomes.
Group C is home to the reigning world champions, Spain, along with two-time Olympic silver medalists Brazil and London 2012 silver medalists Japan.
