Sasol Banyana Banyana will shift their focus to Friday’s crucial encounter against Côte d’Ivoire after suffering a narrow 2-1 defeat to Tanzania in their opening match of the tournament. While the result was not the ideal start to the campaign, the team displayed resilience and determination throughout the 90 minutes of play.
Head Coach Dr Desiree Ellis admitted the team had made the task more difficult for themselves but remained confident that Sasol Banyana Banyana can still progress in the tournament.
“I felt that all three games were going to be difficult, but a good start would have given us the momentum, and now the next match becomes a final before the final; it’s a must-win, and also the game after that. We still have it in us. It wasn’t a good day at the office; we can be better than that. We cannot drop any more points, and with only two teams progressing to the next round, we have to put our best foot forward. We knew that we had it in us to get positive results, and for that we are disappointed,” said Dr Ellis.
Among those backing the team was Deputy Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Hon. Peace Mabe, who attended the match and encouraged the players to remain confident.
“We must not lose hope because this is only the beginning. We still have more matches to prove ourselves,” she said. “The team showed great fighting spirit, and we remain confident they can turn things around in the next matches and qualify for the next round. Simply being on this stage is already an achievement, but we know they are capable of even more.”
The Deputy Minister also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to advancing women’s sport, calling on more corporate partners to invest in women’s football.
“We want to see women’s sport fully professionalised, and that requires greater investment. We are grateful to Sasol and the sponsors who have stood by Banyana Banyana, but more support is needed to ensure these players receive the recognition and opportunities they deserve.”
Also in attendance was Dean Somerset, Manager: Group Brand and Sponsorships at Sasol, who reiterated the company’s unwavering support for Sasol Banyana Banyana despite the opening result.
“The result might not have gone our way, but this team has shown time and again that they have the resilience and character to respond when it matters most. One result does not define Sasol Banyana Banyana or the journey they are on. We remain firmly behind the team because we know the fighting spirit that has made them champions is still very much alive. As they prepare for the next match, we have every confidence that they will regroup, come back stronger and continue to inspire the nation. They remain #NtswebuNamanje.”
Sasol Banyana Banyana will now turn their attention to their next Group fixture against Côte d’Ivoire on Friday, 31 July, with kick-off scheduled for 19:00, as they look to secure a positive result and get their campaign back on track.
