Banyana Banyana take on Lesotho tomorrow as Coach Desiree Ellis looks to test the next generation of stars. Photo: Backpagepix
Image: Backpagepix
Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis will focus on integrating and assessing young talent in preparation for their upcoming Group A final against winless Lesotho.
This COSAFA Women’s Championship magtch against their Lesotho counterparts will take place on Tuesday afternoon at the Seshego Stadium in Polokwane, Limpopo (kick-off 3pm). With a spot in the semi-finals already secured following two resounding victories, Banyana stand as the only unbeaten side in Group A, topping the table with clean sheets in both matches.
However, Ellis’ perspective is not solely on the results; she aims to build a stronger national squad by giving younger players crucial exposure.
“We have to manage the well-being of the players. Our first match was the first 90-minute game in a long time for the players, so we obviously had to look at that,” Ellis explained, during a training session leading up to Tuesday’s game.
“There’s one or two players who are yet to make their debuts for the national team. They are Fiona Namamyana and Zoe October, so they will probably get game time on Tuesday as well, because we want to evaluate as many players as possible and play as many games as possible.”
In both opening matches, Ellis deployed untried combinations, and while the performances were promising, she acknowledged the need for a gradual adaptation to a new group of players.
“Although we are happy with the results, we are always looking for ways to improve performance. We must note that it is a new group of players and things don’t happen immediately,” she noted, emphasidsing the commitment to blend experience with fresh talent.
The semi-finals will be played on Friday, followed by the championship match scheduled for Sunday afternoon.
The COSAFA tournament serves not only as an opportunity for Banyana Banyana to showcase their strength but also as essential preparation for the upcoming CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2026, set to commence in Morocco next month.
* Herman Gibbs is a senior sports contributor for Independent Media and guest on our football podcast, the D-Line, on our YouTube channel The Clutch