Desiree Ellis is hoping to get the better of Banyana Banyana in the semi-finals of the 2025 Cosafa Women's Championship.
Host nation South Africa was held to a 1-1 draw by Lesotho in their final group match at the Seshego Stadium in Polokwane on Tuesday.
Ellis made seven changes to the team that beat Angola 2-0 in the previous match. Dineo Magagula, Unathi Simayile, Sabongkonke Mazobe and Bonolo Mokoma have retained their places. Antonia Maponya, Khutso Pila, Asanda Hedebe, Thorisho Mphelo, Gugu Dhlamini and newcomers Zoe October and Phiona Namanyana were introduced.
Makhotso Moalusi's goal in the 30th minute stunned South Africa and Lesotho scored their first goal of the tournament.
Banyana responded almost immediately eight minutes later through Thorisho Mphelo, her first goal in just her second appearance for the senior women's national team.
“I thought we didn't start well and they (Lesotho) were very aggressive, they came to play and we couldn't get on,” Ellis said.
“When they scored it was a warning and we scored a few minutes later. We played better in the second half and had a lot of chances after making the change.
“We'll go back and look at things and see how we can improve because I thought we could have played a little bit better. (We're) disappointed with the result as well as the performance.”
We will look back at what we have done, what we could have done better in the game against Lesotho, what worked, what did not work and then we will prepare for the semi-finals.
— Desiree Ellis
South Africa looked in better shape in the second half with several substitutes including Bongiwe Thusi, Isabella Ludwig and Gabriela Moodley-Salgado coming on.
“We made a lot of changes to the team. We only had four players from the last game and obviously, now we are going into the semi-finals, we have to improve on some things to be better.
“We said when we came here we wanted to play five games; now we have got the opportunity to do that. We will look back at what we have done, what we could have done better in the game against Lesotho, what worked, what did not work and then we will prepare for the semi-finals.”
Banyana topped Group A with two wins – they also beat Malawi 2–0 – and a draw, giving them seven points.
South Africa will face Zimbabwe at the new Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Friday.
safa media