South Africa forward Hildah Magaia has revealed her immediate response after being dropped from the Banyana Banyana starting lineup by head coach Desiree Ellis ahead of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations semifinal against Nigeria on Tuesday.
The reigning champions lost 2-1 following a Michelle Alozie winner in stoppage time, with Linda Motlhalo having cancelled out Rasheedat Ajibade’s first-half opener from the penalty spot, although the contest was marred by a severe late injury to Banyana forward Gabriela Salgado.
Magaia has herself been struggling with fitness problems in the build-up to the tournament, but despite being included from the start by Ellis against Senegal in the quarterfinal victory, and playing the full 120 minutes, she was demoted to the bench for the semi with Nigeria.
‘Every decision from the coach works for Banyana as a team'
“Yeah, it was tough [to not be in the starting lineup],” Magaia told Afrik-Foot ZA, “but you know, every decision that comes from the coaches is still working for us as a team.
“They knew what they were doing and we supported everything,” she added. “I’m still coming back from a hamstring injury, which has taken me a long time [to recover from], and I’m still getting back on my feet.”
Magaia was eventually introduced to the fray earlier than expected, following an injury to Tiisetso Makhubela in the 26th minute, and made a decisive impact on the hour mark, forcing Osinachi Ohale into a foul in the box, with Motlhalo converting the resulting penalty.
“We were unlucky, unfortunately,” Magaia reflected on the defeat, “It's sad, but it’s God’s will. I guess that’s how it’s meant to be. They had the upper hand and managed to come at us [for the late winner].”
Magaia thankful for support from Mzansi
Magaia also thanked the supporters back home who backed the reigning champions on their run to the semifinal, even though she acknowledged that she was disappointed to see Banyana supporters outnumbered by their Nigerian counterparts at the Stade Larbi Zaouli in Casablanca.
“They were rallying behind us, through screens and social media,” she concluded. “Unfortunately, some of them couldn't make it to the game, but I’m sure that they were watching, and some were still getting the score on social media.”
Even though they’re out of the running for the title, the COSAFA giants still have one more match to play at the ongoing tournament, and will face Ghana — themselves defeated by Morocco in the other semi — in Friday’s third-placed playoff.
