South Africa coach Desiree Ellis said they have been underestimated at the ongoing FIFA Women’s World Cup and despite the “underdog” tag, they are still competing in the tournament.
The 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) champions completed a comeback win in their final group game against Italy to seal historic progress to the knockout stage, where they will face 2019 finalists Netherlands.
Banyana Banyana made history against the Azzurre as they won their first-ever game in the tournament after losing all three matches in the 2019 edition and failing to register a win in their first two group games in Australia and New Zealand.
However, Ellis, who is relishing the undergo tag, is holding on to her team’s resilience, which they have shown in the competition as they prepare for their knockout match against Netherlands.
“We’ve been underestimated so many times before,” the 60-year-old coach said. “I think this group has shown that nothing can stand in the way.
“This group has shown when the chips are down that they can stand up. We know who we’re playing, but they don’t know who they’re playing.
“Because this group, when the chips are down in all our matches, they’ve just gotten better and better. All I can say is that this is going to be a match tomorrow.”
It is the first time South Africa has made it out of the group in the Women’s World Cup, and Elllis, a former South Africa International herself, is proud of the work her players have done and of the support they are getting in Australia and New Zealand and also back in South Africa among the home fans.
“It took me about two days to answer all the WhatsApp messages, she added. “I think when you looked at the video as it was going around, kids were not going to school they were watching matches.
“In the office people were watching matches. I think it’s really given the lift to everyone back home. People got up early in the morning to watch matches and this was something that could put a smile on their face.
“I think that is really, really changed in the country. As you know, the expectations are really, really high, but I think we are up for it.”
Ellis remains confident in Bayana Bayana’s chances of causing another major upset in a tournament that hasn’t been shy of shocking results. She will however be hoping for the return of captain Refiloe Jane, who suffered a soft tissue injury during their second group G game against Argentina and sat out their 3-2 win over Italy.
South Africa and the Netherlands will lock horns in the early hours of Sunday, August 7, at the Allianz Stadium in Sydney, Australia, at 3 a.m. WAT.
YOU CAN WATCH THE MATCH BETWEEN THE NETHERLANDS AND SOUTH AFRICA LIVE ON AFROSPORT ON FREE TV CHANNEL 730 OR STREAM ON VIDIVU FROM 2:30AM WAT.
