Coach Desiree Ellis of South Africa has said Bayana Bayana’s win over the Super Falcons of Nigeria has set the tone for her team as they seek to win the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title.
South Africa got off to a flying start following a 2-1 victory over nine-time record African champions Nigeria in their first Group C encounter at the ongoing 2022 WAFCON in Morocco.
Desiree Ellis’ outfit scored twice in two minutes thanks to Jermaine Seoposenwe and Hilda Magaia goals in the 60th and 62nd minutes to destabilise their opponents, who were caught off-guard by the quick firing South Africans.
Ellis said in a post-match press conference that the goal of her team was to win the tournament, adding that the win against Nigeria was the first step towards achieving their goal. .
“This is a very big win for us as a team. We needed to get this result because it sets the tone for the rest of the tournament.
“We held a meeting on our goals and ambitions before training. We want to qualify for the World Cup and win the title here.”
“We know what happened in 2018, but we have matured over the past four years and there are changes in our team.
“Jermaine played about four positions today. That is the versatility we have now as a team.”
“This victory is for everyone back home and for all the coaches. This is for everyone connected to women’s football back home,” a content Ellis added.
The victory was South Africa’s second win over Nigeria in the past 10 months, having stunned the defending champions 4-2 in the Aisha Buhari Invitational Cup in Lagos in 2021.
Super Falcons unfazed despite loss – Coach Waldrum
However, Randy Waldrum, Head Coach of the Super Falcons of Nigeria has said his team remains unfazed despite the loss, a bad day at the office for the nine-time champions.
TNG reports the Super Falcons came into the game against South Africa as favourites, having won the competition more than any other nation on the continent.
Banyana Banyana however scored twice in two minutes thanks to Jermaine Seoposenwe and Hilda Magaia goals in the 60th and 62nd minutes to destabilize their opponents, who were caught off-guard by the quick firing South Africans.
The Super Falcons eventually found a goal in the first minute of added time, thanks to an incredible finish by Rasheedat Ajibade, but it was too late as South Africa reorganized themselves and bagged the three points.
Waldrum told newsmen during his post-match conference that his team was in good spirit, inspite of the loss, adding that they intend to go back to the drawing board and work on all their mistakes.
“Inspite of the loss, we are still positive in camp. It is obviously the first game of the tournament so we have to go back and regroup.
“We have to increase our urgency in the fighting spirit because we are encouraged by it.
“We have to play the way we played in the last 10-15 minutes so that we get going,” Waldrum said.
Botswana now top Group C with three points and a superior goal difference of +3 after thrashing Burundi 4-1 in their opening game.
South Africa are second also with three points and a goal difference of +1 ahead of their next game against bottom-placed side Burundi on Thursday.
While Nigeria, currently in third, take on Botswana on the same day at 8 p.m.
