BLOEMFONTEIN – South Africa’s senior women’s team head coach Dr Desiree Ellis has urged her charges to guard against complacency when they meet Madagascar in the second-leg CAF Women’s Olympic qualifier. This tie takes place at Toyota Stadium tomorrow – Tuesday. Kick-off is at 18:00.

Illustrious Ellis stressed the 4-0 win over the island opposition last Friday was not a guarantee, setting the team a target for a ruthless approach in the upcoming fixture. “We must secure the game, 4-nil does not mean we have to underestimate our opponents. We must continue playing well right from the start to ensure they do not get a foothold on the game,” said Ellis.

The former Banyana skipper wants the players to keep the rhythm and the goal rush as was the case in the memorable opening fixture, with Ronnel Donnelly scoring a hat-trick. “Our conversion rate needs to be better. If we had converted a lot of the chances we created, we would be talking about something different now going into the second match against Madagascar. However, I’m happy with the scoreline and also the fact that we kept a clean sheet,” said Ellis.

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Ellis highlighted the fact that the team was continuing to improve decision-making in all departments to achieve the desired results in all future matches. “There were moments when we did not have enough players in the box, moments where a pass was delayed instead of being played on time. For us it is a work in progress, remedying such aspects of the game and improving,” said Ellis.

Banyana look to fully exploit their home advantage that include staunch home supporters as spectators have the greenlight to come in their numbers to attend tomorrow’s game against Madagascar. 

Ellis said positive result was necessary bolstering the players confidence and self-belief ahead of matches against tougher international opponents. Banyana’s very next fixture after the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic qualifying tie against Madagascar will be the play-off for the Fifa World Cup against Chinese Taipei on 24 November.