Banyana learn valuable lessons from Turkish Women’s Cup 

Banyana Banyana head coach Desiree Ellis has revealed what her side has learned after finishing top of Group A in the Turkish Women’s Cup. 

The competition was part of Banyana’s preparation for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, set to start from July 20 until August 20.

The 2022 CAF Africa Women’s Cup of Nations [WAFCON] champions were officially crowned as the tournament’s Group A winners on a goal difference.

Ellis’ charges finished their group with four points, level with Slovenia but had a better goal advantage. 

This comes after South Africa thrashed Uzbekistan 3-0 in their first match last Saturday. And went on to play out to a 1-all draw with the runners-up Slovenia on Tuesday afternoon.

Meanwhile, Kosovo were crowned the winners of Group B.

The three-time CAF Women’s Coach of the Year, Ellis, divulged some of the lessons they have picked up from the competition. 

WHAT BANYANA BANYANA LEARNED FROM THE TURKISH WOMEN’S CUP  

“Especially in the last game [against Slovenia], we picked up the technical ability of movements. The one touch, two touch ball was good,” told the SAFA media department. 

“And we know Spain, Sweden and Italy play similar football, and Argentina and New Zealand are also good on the ball. So, the physicality really helped us to prepare. 

“Now, we need to take one step up for the next international break which is in April. We hoping to be in a better conditioned and better our technicality.”

The 59-year-old mentor continued: “I think we worked a lot on that even though we conceded the one goal against Slovenia, but I think defensively we were much more compact. 

“And in attack, we showed a lot of more improvements. We going to make sure we don’t concede at all and when we get those chances we are extremely clinical.”

HILDAH MAGAIA WINS MIDFIELDER OF THE TOURNAMENT 

To put a cherry on top, it was confirmed that Banyana forward Hildah Magaia, who leveled matters against Slovenia on Tuesday, walked away the Midfielder of the Tournament award.

Banyana will return to the country on Thursday, 23 February 2023. The team is expected to touch down at OR Tambo International Airport at 10:30 am.

RELATED STORY: How Desiree Ellis is impacting Dludlu’s coaching career