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The Citizen
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Motau calls for patience after Banyana's poor showing at WAFCON
'I think the way this tournament has gone is a testament to where the team," said Motau. Following Banyana Banyana's failure to defend their CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title, co-captain Amogelang Motau has called for patience, saying the new players are trying to find their feet. Banyana lost 2-1 to Nigeria in the semifinals, and they had to settle for a fourth-place finish after going down 4-3 on penalties to Ghana in the bronze medal match last Friday. The game was decided on penalties after the sides were deadlocked at 1-1 in regulation time at Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca, Morocco. ALSO READ: No complaints from Ellis in Banyana defeat to Ghana The fourth-place finish was their worst since Desiree Ellis took charge of the team, having lost in the final in the 2018 edition before winning it in 2022. Following their poor showing in Morocco, Banyana have come under scrutiny from the South African football followers and the media, with some even calling for Ellis's sacking. 'Banyana will do better in March' Motau insists that the new crop of players needs time to gel. 'I think the way this tournament has gone is a testament to where the team is. Again, we're going through a transition, some players are retiring like Jermaine, and again, some people need to step up and take the positions of the players that have stepped up for this team for such a long time,' Motau told SAFA media. Motau says the team has changed Motau added that people should take note of the fact that the composition of the team has changed from the side that lifted a maiden WAFCON trophy in 2022. 'We must also remember that even the team that won it in 2022 were together for such a long time, and I think with the upcoming players, we're going to need time. I know that time is something we don't have at the national team, but we're going to need time to play together. I think that right now, the tournament went the way it went, but again, we have an opportunity in March to show up. And I think this tournament also showed us where we are and where the other teams are. This gives us time to prepare for the main ones so that we can qualify for the World Cup.' 'The new players have potential' 'I'll go back to the fact that it's a transition, so you need time for different combinations so that we can establish the chemistry of the players that were able to qualify for the World Cup and play in the World Cup. These are the players that have been playing together for more than six years, and we are talking about the likes of Fifi (Refiloe Jane) and Linda (Motlhalo). When I came into the midfield I almost felt like I was so lost because the two of them had so much chemistry, but with time I'm also getting there. I think with the group of players that are here, we have shown that they have potential and they're willing to get there. So, for me it's just more games together and more camps together and I think things will come together, we just need to be patient,' concluded Motau. ALSO READ: England hero Kelly overcomes 'dark moments' on way to Euro 2025 glory Banyana are expected to arrive in South Africa tonight after leaving Morocco on Sunday afternoon.
The Citizen
6 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
No complaints from Ellis in Banyana defeat to Ghana
Banyana finished the tournament in fourth place after the loss to Ghana. Coach Desiree Ellis gave an honest assessment to Banyana Banyana's surprise loss to Ghana. This after Banyana went down 4-3 on penalties to the Black Queens in a CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) third-place play-off match at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca, Morocco, on Friday night. ALSO READ: Ghana end Banyana's dream of winning a medal at WAFCON The game had to be decided on penalties after the teams were tied at 1-1 at the end of regulation time. 'We started very slowly, got into the game and got a goal when we pressed. But they came out guns blazing for most of the second half, especially that first 15 minutes. We couldn't get our foot on the ball to slow the game down, and to take control. They were just better than us in the second half and eventually going to penalties, we always knew that we had a chance. Unfortunately, we didn't win the penalty shootout this time around, so congratulations to Ghana. We live on, and we'll then start preparing for what's forward,' Ellis told SAFA media. 'I think some of the games took a lot out of us, but we always knew either getting to the final or getting to the third and 4th place playoff we still had another game. We had five substitutes really because we've also picked up some injuries along the way, but that's not an excuse. We just have to pick ourselves up, these things happen in football – you've got to give credit to the opponents, in most situations they were better than us and I not going to sugar-coat that, you've got to give credit where it's due,' added Ellis. Banyana to 'dust' themselves and move on Following their failure to defend their WAFCON title, Ellis says there is no time to cry over spilled milk. 'We dust ourselves off and move on. We can't look back too much, yes it wasn't a great campaign, but we got into the semifinals and came very close to getting to the final, so we'll just move on. Like every team that comes to a tournament, we had ambitions of winning it, but we didn't get there. Unfortunately, we didn't do well today,' commented Ellis. ALSO READ: Ngwenya sees Sithole-like recovery for injured Banyana star In the six matches that Banyana played in the WAFCON, they managed two wins in open play – defeating Ghana (2-0) and Mali (4-0). They drew against Tanzania (1-1), beat Senegal on penalties in the quarterfinals before going down 1-2 to Nigeria in the semi-finals.
CAF
24-07-2025
- Sport
- CAF
Justin Madugu: The Man Redefining the Rules
From the group stage to the final, Nigeria's journey at the 2024 CAF TotalEnergies Women's Africa Cup of Nations has been one of tactical brilliance, composure under pressure, and collective strength. Under Justin Madugu, the Super Falcons have rediscovered their competitive edge—remaining unbeaten, conceding just once, and defeating three former champions en route to the final. Whether dispatching Tunisia with clinical precision, outwitting defending champions South Africa in the semis, or navigating a tense quarter-final showdown, Madugu's imprint has been unmistakable. Calm on the touchline and meticulous in preparation, he has turned a transitional squad into title contenders—instilling belief, unity, and tactical discipline. Winning Tactics with Purpose The term 'winning coach' is often overused, invoked with every tactical tweak. But in the case of Justin Madugu, it regains its full meaning. The Super Falcons head coach approaches every game like a seasoned strategist—with intuition, boldness, and impeccable man-management. In the semi-final of the CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations against South Africa (2–1), he struck again. After Linda Motlhalo's equalizer, the match appeared to be slipping into deadlock. But Madugu didn't panic—he anticipated, adjusted, and made his move. In the 81st minute, he introduced Deborah Abiodun. Far from a gamble, the young attacker was deployed just behind the front line to inject tempo. A few touches, a burst of pace, and a sublime pass behind the South African defense—Michelle Alozie latched on and delivered the knockout blow in added time (90+4). 'We prepare different scenarios for every game—if we're leading, drawing, or chasing a late goal,' Madugu calmly explained. 'When South Africa equalized, we reminded the players that the match isn't over until the final whistle. They believed in themselves and were rewarded.' Oshoala Benched, Echegini Rested Madugu showed his tactical boldness from the opening game against Tunisia (3–0). He made tough calls—Jennifer Echegini, dazzling this season with PSG, started on the bench. Asisat Oshoala, a legend of African football, was substituted after scoring. Few coaches would dare. Madugu did and took responsibility. 'Every player has a role to play. No one is more important than the team. Our strength lies in unity, and everyone is treated with equal respect.' Behind this philosophy is a clear method and a vision. When he named his squad for the tournament, 11 debutants made the list. A decision that raised conservative eyebrows, but for Madugu, it was a bold opportunity, not a risk. 'They earned their places during the preparatory matches. They belong here—there's no nervousness, no doubt about their value to the team.' Youth Empowered, Squad Rejuvenated It was a gamble. One that paid off. The team now blends seasoned veterans with energetic chemistry is real, on and off the pitch. Seniors guide and mentor. The young players listen, learn, and rise. A smooth generational handover, seamlessly managed. 'It's a learning process. This tournament is transforming them. It will benefit their club and international careers.' Madugu isn't just managing, he's building. He's thinking long term. By breaking free from rigid hierarchies, he's fostering competition, innovation, and ambition. The Nigeria of 2025 is no longer a gallery of stars—it's a carefully crafted collective. And its chief architect is just getting started. On Saturday, the Super Falcons will face host nation Morocco in the final, a daunting challenge in a packed stadium. But with Madugu at the helm, nothing seems impossible. Because under his guidance, Nigeria isn't just playing with its legacy, it's playing with fresh ideas and winning with them.
IOL News
20-07-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Ellis hails Banyana's grit after shootout triumph over Senegal
Andile Dlamini is mobbed by teammates after her two penalty saves sent Banyana Banyana into the WAFCON semi-finals. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpagepix Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis cut a calm but proud figure on Saturday night after guiding her team to the semi-finals of the CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) following a 4-1 penalty shootout win over Senegal. It was a tense evening at the Honneur Stadium in Oujda, where the defending champions were made to work hard for their place in the final four. After a goalless 120 minutes of football, South Africa held their nerve in the shootout — and Ellis was full of praise for how her side managed the pressure. 'I said the game was not going to be easy,' she reflected after the match. 'I said it was going to be a difficult game because of the group they were in and how they got out — and we didn't expect anything less.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Banyana struggled to find their rhythm early on, something the coach acknowledged. 'The first 15 minutes we showed a bit of nerves, trying to get into the game,' Ellis said. 'But once we settled, we nullified the threat — their two tall strikers.' Senegal's aerial presence and direct play posed problems, but Ellis was pleased with how her defence coped. 'We dealt very well with their long ball, but sometimes we gave the ball away too cheaply. Senegal have improved from the last time we played them — their coach has done a fantastic job.' The turning point came in the penalty shootout, where goalkeeper Andile Dlamini made two crucial saves. 🏆 𝕎𝔸𝔽ℂ𝕆ℕ 𝟚𝟘𝟚𝟜 🏆 ⚽️ 𝐏𝐄𝐍𝐀𝐋𝐓𝐘 𝐒𝐇𝐎𝐎𝐓𝐎𝐔𝐓: Bambanani Mbane converts and send Banyana Banyana to the semi-finals! 🇿🇦 ✅✅✅✅ 🇸🇳 ✅ ❌❌ 🚨 LIVE 📺 SABC 3 📱 #TotalEnergiesWAFCON2024 — SABC Sport (@SABC_Sport) July 19, 2025 'We have been practising penalties, and we knew who our kickers were going to be — that's why we made the changes we made. We always knew that Andile could save one or two — she's done it before,' said Ellis. It was a historic moment for Banyana — their first ever penalty shootout win in WAFCON history. 'This was our first penalty shootout victory at WAFCON — we lost in 2006 and again in the 2018 final,' Ellis recalled. 'I don't have enough words to describe this team — the resilience, the courage, the never-say-die attitude, the willingness to fight for each other. No matter what they threw at us, we were able to withstand it.' South Africa will now face old rivals Nigeria in the semi-finals on Tuesday in Casablanca — a fixture steeped in continental history. But Ellis isn't looking too far ahead just yet. 'We are not thinking about Nigeria right now — we'll think about the next match tomorrow. Let's celebrate what we have done,' she said. Banyana will now leave Oujda — a city they have called home for the past 16 days — and make their way to the Moroccan capital, where their title defence will face its sternest test yet. In the other semi-final, hosts Morocco will take on Ghana.
The Citizen
20-07-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Ellis hails Banyana after hard-fought victory over Senegal
'I said the game was not going to be easy," said Ellis. Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis was full of praise for her charges after they defeated Senegal on penalties to reach the semifinals of the CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON). South Africa beat the Lionesses of Teranga 4-1 in a penalty shootout in a quarterfinal clash played at the Honneur Stadium in Oujda, Morocco on Saturday. The game had to be decided on penalties after the sides were locked at 0-0 after extra-time. READ MORE: Dlamini the hero as Banyana beat Senegal to reach WAFCON semis Banyana will now face Nigeria, whothrashedZambia 5-0 on Friday, in Tuesday's first semi-final in Casablanca. 'I said the game was not going to be easy, I said it was going to be a difficult game because of the group they were in and how they got out – and we didn't expect anything less,' Ellis told SAFA media. 'The first 15 minutes we showed a bit of nerves, trying to get into the game but once we got into the game, we nullified the threat, their two tall strikers. We dealt very well with their long ball, but sometimes we gave the ball away too cheaply. Senegal has improved from the last time we played them, the coach has done a fantastic job.' Ellis praise Banyana's never-say-die attitude Banyana goalkeeper Andile Dlamini made two great saves in the penalty shootout, while Karabo Dhlamini, Tiisetso Makhubela, Gabriela Salgado and Bambanani Mbane all converted their spot kicks to help Banyana move one step closer to retaining their WAFCON crown. 'We have been practicing penalties, and we knew who our kickers were going to be and that's why we made the changes we made. We always knew that Andile can save one or two – she had done it before. 'This was our first penalty shoot victory in the WAFCON – we lost it in 2006 and in 2018 in the final. I don't have enough words to describe this team – the resilience, the courage, the never-say-die attitude, the willingness to fight for each other. No matter what they threw at us we were able to withstand that,' added Ellis. South Africa will now meet their nemesis Nigeria will meet in a blockbuster semifinal clash at Stade Larbi Zaouli in Casablanca on Tuesday. 'We are not thinking about Nigeria right now, we will think about the next match tomorrow. Let's celebrate what we have done,' concluded Ellis.
