LOOK: SA short of African dream
|Published
FOCUSED: Banyana’s Desiree Ellis.Picture credit: Molly Darlington
Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis insists her players are only focused on beating Italy on Wednesday in what could be the end of the road for them at this year’s World Cup.
Heading into the 9am clash in Wellington, the pressure is on South Africa to get the Group G win and leapfrog second-placed Azzurre into the knockout stages.
Not only would it be a historic first win on this stage, Ellis’ Women’s Afcon Cup of Nations holders are now the only side from Africa still without a win Down Under in this edition.
🚨Next Match Details🚨
— Banyana_Banyana (@Banyana_Banyana) July 30, 2023
⚽️South Africa🇿![CDATA[]]>🇦![CDATA[]]>🆚 Italy 🇮![CDATA[]]>🇹
🗓️Wednesday, 02 August 2023
🏟️Wellington Regional Stadium
⏰19:00pm (09:00am RSA)
📺 Live on @Official_SABC1 and @SABC_Sport channel
Get behind team Banyana Banyana in our final Group match💚![CDATA[]]>💛![CDATA[]]>🇿![CDATA[]]>🇦#BeyondGreatness #FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/8n3LKOw2rD
Eliminated Zambia beat Costa Rica 3-1 on Monday before heading home, as Nigeria booked their place in the last 16 with a 0-0 draw with Ireland, while Morocco will look to follow them on Thursday.
But coach Desiree Ellis says SA’s winless status doesn’t put more pressure on them, explaining: “It’s fantastic that the African teams have all won.
“But I don’t think that puts additional pressure on us.
“We put the pressure on ourselves, because we want the result.”