FOR ALL intents and purposes, Banyana Banyana’s qualification for this year’s Africa Women’s Cup of Nations (Women’s Afcon) is guaranteed, says acting head coach Desiree Ellis.
Banyana will play the winner of the clashes between Lesotho and Swaziland home and away for a place in the tournament hosted by Ghana from 17 November to 1 December.
The top three teams in Ghana will automatically qualify for the 2019 Women’s World Cup in France from 7 June to 7 July.
And Ellis, who has been acting coach for several months, says qualifying for the eighth quadrennial international women’s football championship is top of her list of priorities.
It is just unfortunate that Ellis and her charges have to rely on friendlies to stay fit until June when the Women’s Afcon qualifiers start.
They were due to start in April but it had to be postponed to make way for the Africa women’s football symposium in Morocco.
Said Ellis: “I respect Lesotho and Swaziland but you must remember that we’ve beaten them more than once and that gives us confidence against them,” said Ellis as she prepares for a training match against Sweden behind closed doors on 18 January.
This match will be followed by a friendly against Sweden at the Cape Town Stadium three days later, where they will again lace up against the team ranked 10th in the world and fifth in Europe.
“I am not underestimating anyone here, just expressing our confidence,” Ellis added.
“We have big ambitions for 2018, considering it’s an Afcon year which may lead us to the World Cup. I have put all the plans in place and am hopeful that they will pan out.”
Next month Safa will announce Banyana’s position regarding the Cyprus Cup billed for later in February.
The 26 players assembling in camp on Sunday for the Sweden friendly will not be guaranteed spots in their upcoming Afcon qualifiers, as Ellis says players must fight for their places.
And Banyana, the African Women’s National Team of the Year and reigning Cosafa Cup champions, will not be eager to part with the title or accompanying honours of being the continent’s best.
Sunflower FC midfielder Xolisile Mnikathi, based in KwaZulu-Natal, has been called up to replace former Banyana Banyana captain Amanda Dlamini, who retired on Tuesday.
) Stephanie Malherbe, Robyn Moodaly and Nomvula Kgoale aren’t available for this friendly.
