Banyana Banyana’s coach, Desiree Ellis, has issued a caution to Senegal, insisting that their resounding 4-0 triumph in Group C’s concluding match against Senegal at the Honneur Stadium in Morocco should be regarded as a testament to their resilience and identity as they approach the quarterfinals.
Banyana’s goals were scored by Refiloe Jane, Lebo Ramalepe, Hilda Magaia, and Ronnel Donnelly.
Quarterfinal clash
Desiree Ellis’s troops are set to confront Senegal in a quarterfinal clash scheduled for Saturday at the Honneur Stadium. And Ellis has subsequently alerted their adversaries to anticipate a formidable contest.
“While we acknowledge the fierce competitiveness of this tournament, where nearly all teams are delivering their utmost performances, Senegal must not be underestimated. The silver lining, however, is that we have several days to thoroughly analyse their game,” remarked Ellis.
“Senegal has demonstrated in a particularly challenging group that they can contend with the best. And we must be at our absolute peak to secure a favourable outcome. This match will undoubtedly pose significant challenges.
FIFA International window
“I do not believe any game at this WAFCON has been straightforward. It underscores the continual improvement of teams across the continent. Every FIFA International window sees nations competing.”
Ellis has also defended her decision to implement certain changes during the encounter against Tanzania. This is particularly in the goalkeeping department, where she opted to replace Andile Dlamini with Kaylin Swart.
This follows Banyana’s commencement of their WAFCON group matches with a 2-0 victory over Ghana. And it was prior to their 1-1 stalemate against Tanzania.
“I feel no obligation to justify my decision, as football is inherently a game of strategy. And the fact that the plan did not yield the desired results requires no validation,” she stated.
This marks the third consecutive occasion that Banyana has finished atop their group under the guidance of Ellis. They achieved this feat in 2018 in Ghana, as well as in 2022 and 2025 in Morocco.
