South Africa head coach Desiree Ellis says the Banyana Banyana are fully prepared for their high-stakes semifinal clash against Nigeria at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), as they aim to reach the final and defend their title.
The encounter rekindles a familiar rivalry between two of Africa’s top women’s teams. In the 2022 edition, South Africa stunned the Super Falcons with a 2-1 victory in the group stage, a crucial win on their path to claiming their first-ever WAFCON title.
While Nigeria are targeting a record-extending 10th championship, dubbed “Mission X”, South Africa are determined to retain their crown and underline their growing dominance on the continent.
Despite having fewer days to rest and train compared to the Super Falcons, Ellis is confident her team is ready to rise to the occasion.
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“We travelled on Sunday and had our final training on Monday, there’s not much you can do in one day,” Ellis said at the pre-match press conference in Casablanca.
“But there are a few things you can tweak, and a few things to work on. The technical team has been really busy behind the scenes, leaving no stone unturned. I think you don’t need motivation for a semifinal—we are ready for the game.”
Acknowledging the challenge Nigeria poses, Ellis emphasised the significance of the match for her team and the nation.
“We have to be on top of our game to make sure we get over the hurdle,” she added. “Nigeria is the only country that has defended the title back-to-back on numerous occasions, and achieving that for South Africa would be massive.”
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