Ellis demands more despite Banyana’s winning start in Tri-Nations series

Desiree Ellis welcomed a winning start to Banyana Banyana’s Tri-Nations Series campaign but admitted her side made things difficult for themselves in a nervy 3–2 victory over Botswana at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on Wednesday.

South Africa will now shift their focus to Zambia, whom they face at the same venue (kick-off 3pm) on Tuesday in their second clash of the tournament. The Tri-Series serves as preparation for the upcoming Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco this July.

Banyana made a blistering start, storming to a 3–0 lead inside the opening 36 minutes. Jermaine Seopesenwe, who plays her club football for Monterrey in Mexico, bagged a brace to complement Adriette Mibe’s early opener.

Given the short preparation period, Ellis and her technical staff would have been encouraged by the flying start, especially considering their recent mixed record against Botswana. Despite holding a higher ranking, South Africa have not always found it easy against their southern neighbours.

In the last four encounters, the two nations have traded friendly victories. Botswana notably edged South Africa in the 2019 CAF Women’s Olympic Qualifiers, winning 3–2 on penalties after a goalless two-legged tie.

With a comfortable 3–0 advantage and just minutes left before half-time, Banyana eased off the throttle — allowing Botswana a route back into the game. The visitors accepted the invitation, nearly pulling off a dramatic turnaround.

Reflecting on the match, Ellis pinpointed moments where her side gave away the early advantage and hopes for a better showing in their upcoming match against Zambia.

“With the first goal, we knew they were going to play the ball long, and we didn’t react to that. The second goal that we gave away — we had said we needed to be patient on the ball, and yet we played it into traffic when we could have played wide. So there was a little lapse in concentration.”

Ellis expressed concern over the second-half display, particularly the manner in which the goals were conceded — especially as they were situations the team had anticipated.

“The tempo went down a bit. In the first half, it was very high and we moved the ball around, but in the second half we didn’t move ourselves or the ball — and that played in their favour,” Ellis continued.

“When I look back at the two goals we gave away, we need to do better, because we were in complete control until they got back into the game. We tried to lift the tempo later on, but it wasn’t there to lift. We had half-chances, and we also need to do better at that as well.

“We know Botswana, and we knew they were going to come for us, but we could have been better in possession—we gave the ball away a lot.”

Despite those frustrations, Ellis took heart from the return of captain Refiloe Jane, as well as Bambanani Mbane and Karabo Dlamini — all of whom are making comebacks from injury layoffs.

“That is what we want to see. Refiloe, Karabo and Bambanani have come back from long-term injuries, and it was heartwarming to see them put in performances like that.”