Latest news with #CafWomen'sAfricaCupofNations
TimesLIVE
4 days ago
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Banyana take aim at Senegal in tricky Wafcon quarterfinal in Morocco
Banyana Banyana midfielder Linda Motlhalo has cautioned against complacency when they take on less-fancied Senegal in the quarterfinal stage of the Caf Women's Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon). South Africa are favourites going into Saturday's clash at the Honneur Stadium in Oujda, Morocco, but vastly experienced Motlhalo said they must be on top of their game if they are to stay on course to defend their title. Banyana topped Group C with seven points — two wins and a draw — while the Lionesses of Teranga scraped through as one of the third-best placed finishers after defeats to Morocco and Zambia and a win over DR Congo. 'We played against Senegal before and they are a very good team,' said Motlhalo who was part of the squad that faced Senegal last year. 'They are growing and so are other African teams. From when we played them to now, there is a huge difference. They also have players that have now signed for overseas teams, which says a lot about Senegal. 'They are looking good, but we have a plan,' said Motlhalo. Banyana coach Desiree Ellis is not taking any chances and said they must keep a clean sheet. 'It's going to be a game of those small margins — the final and knockout games are never easy. So we really have to make sure that we are in charge in everything that we do. 'We do as best as we can. But keeping a clean sheet will also be of utmost importance.' The last time they met in two friendlies in Dakar, the first match was a draw and the second a 2-0 victory for South Africa thanks to goals from Amogelang Motau and Noxolo Cesane. 'Playing a team before doesn't mean anything, those results are in the past, this is a competition and they are not in the quarterfinals by fluke. They are there because they deserve to be there and we have to be on top of our game to make sure that we get the result,' added Ellis. For the West Africans, they have matched their best finish of the last eight in 2022 and they intend to go further. 'South Africa are the favourites, they are the better team and we are the challengers. A win will be good for Senegal because it will be the first time we win this round, but we will need confidence, not give in to pressure and show Senegalese football in this competition. 'We are also happy to be playing against top teams on the continent like Morocco, Zambia and now South Africa,' said Senegal coach Mousse Cisse.
IOL News
16-07-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Desiree Ellis praises Banyana Banyan a veteran Lebogang Ramalepe ahead of Wafcon quater-finals
BANYANA Banyana wingback Lebohang Ramalepe is challenged by Aicha Samake of Mali during the 2024 Women's Africa Cup of Nations match on Monday. | BackpagePix Image: BackpagePix WHEN Banyana Banyana scored four unanswered goals against Mali in their final Group C match of the Caf Women's Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) on Monday, the world of football surely felt that the team that they have come to know had finally arrived in Morocco but coach Desiree Ellis was more impressed by veteran defender Lebogang Ramalepe. The 33-year-old went away with a Player of the match award after two assists and a goal in Oudja to send the defending champions to the quarter-finals against Senegal on Saturday. That match will also be played at 9pm after the match between Algeria and Ghana at 6pm. Ramalepe, one of the legends of Banyana and South African women's football with over 100 caps for the national team, has played all three group matches at wingback - a more forward role than her usual right back. 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 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. Next Stay Close ✕ Ellis had nothing but praise for the player known affectionately as Rama in football circles. 'We've seen Rama at Mamelodi Sundowns play at wingback as well,' said Ellis. 'We're fortunate that she can play in that forward role because it is similar to when she is playing at fullback, (but this position) I think it just gives her more freedom to play further up the field and to create space and assist without shedding her defensive duties. 'It is the same with Karabo (Dhlamini) as well on that left side. You can see the combinations with Gabriel (Salgaldo) when she came on. It was good to see her (Ramalepe) get more minutes and to score.' Ramalepe's game trademark has always been her endurance, tactical intelligence and attacking instincts, which has over the years benefitted the likes of Ma-Indies, Sundowns and Banyana. After the game she was quoted by saying: 'The win for the team is something we worked so hard for. We knew it was not going to be an easy game. The three points really made things easy for us,' she said, before she reflected on he Player of the match award. 'It really showed that I did my best. It was also a collective effort. I would like to thank my teammates.' As they had to the knockout stages, Banyana will again be put under scrutiny as it happened with their last group outing, in which they needed a positive result after drawing 1-1 with Tanzania in their second match in Oudja. 'It's not going to be an easy game. It's a knockout stage and a matter of trying to stay composed,' reflected Ramalepe. '(We will have to) play our normal game and make sure we convert our chances — then we will be heading to the semifinals.'
TimesLIVE
03-07-2025
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Banyana adjusting to sweltering conditions in Morocco
Banyana Banyana wingback Gabriela Salgado says they are adjusting to the hot conditions in Morocco as they prepare for their Caf Women's Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) opener against Ghana. South Africa begin the defence of the title they won in 2022 with a tough clash against the Black Queens on Monday at the Stade d'Honneur d'Oujda, where they will be looking for a confidence-boosting start. Coach Desiree Ellis's charges are in tough Group C with Ghana, Tanzania and Mali. 'It's very hot here but we are adjusting,' she said. 'You can complain but it doesn't change the weather, so we are just adjusting and doing our best to get used to the conditions because during the tournament we will face the same heat.
TimesLIVE
02-07-2025
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Banyana step up Wafcon preparations ahead of opener against Ghana
Their preparations for the opening match of the Caf Women's Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) were disrupted by a two-day strike over unpaid bonuses at the weekend but Banyana Banyana midfielder Regina Mogolola is confident they can defend their title. Banyana begin the defence of the title they won in 2022 with a tough clash against Ghana on Monday at the Stade d'Honneur d'Oujda where they will be looking for a confidence- boosting start. After their opening match, Desiree Ellis' charges will complete Group C with clashes against Tanzania (July 11) and Mali (July 14) and all those encounters will be played in Oujda. 'We are feeling good and we are prepared,' she said. 'We know what it will take to defend our title and we will have to work as a team, play for one another, support each other, fight for one another. So, teamwork will win the day, unlike in tennis where you are on your own,' she pointed out. Mogolola, who is making a return to the national team set-up after an absence of seven years, added she is looking forward to the tournament, where she won silver in 2018 in Ghana. 'It's nice to come and learn again. I am excited, and I am looking forward to representing the country. I also appreciate the opportunity that I got the call up again, but it's all about working hard and not giving up when faced with challenges,' added Mogolola.
