After giving the team a day off, coach Desiree Ellis is bracing her Banyana Banyana squad for the must-win game against Argentina. Ellis felt it was important for the players and staff to take a day off after a draining game against Sweden.
“The day off was very important just to take your mind off football, just to rest and relax, to go out and have a cup of coffee, just go out and have a look around. If you want to shop, shop. As you can see the batteries are refreshed,” said Ellis ahead of the encounter with the South Americans who also need a win to stay relevant at the tournament.
Ellis also welcomed a refreshed Hild Magaia, who injured her wrist while scoring South Africa’s goal in the 2-1 defeat to Sweden. The Banyana Banyana striker participated in the full training session, much to the delight of her coach.
“As you saw, Hilda took part in the whole training session. There is a clean bill of health, which is fantastic. The turnaround time is very short,” the CAF Coach of the Year winner explained.
The night training session was greeted with enthusiasm by the players, with Ellis paying particular attention to the attacking and finishing.
“Obviously we have to be way better in the attack. I think the decision-making in the attack needs to be better. We got in on a few occasions against Sweden but if our decision-making had been better we would have scored a goal or two more,” noted Ellis.
Coach Des is hoping for a more clinical attack against Argentina with more expected from American-based Thembi Kgatlana. Kgatlana could have created more goalscoring opportunities for Banyana Bnayana had she shared the ball on a couple of occasions.