Ellis and Salgado optimistic on the chances of South Africa against the “quality” of Nigeria

The coach of South Africa Desiree Ellis remains confident in the chances of his team as they are preparing for a confrontation in the semi-finals of the African Women’s Cup in Africa of Nations on Tuesday evening.

While the Super Falcons won a 5-0 victory against Zambia in the quarter-final, Banyana Banyana had to count on a penalty shootout to overcome a resilient side of Senegal after 120 minutes relentlessly.

To keep their defense title alive, South Africa must overcome an enemy familiar to Nigeria when they compete in Casablanca. And their 62 -year -old tactician says that his team leaves no stone not returned to their attempt to go beyond the team of Justine Madugu.

“Nigeria is a familiar team against which we have played in the past two years. We have traveled (Sunday) and (Monday), and we will have our last training session and you cannot do much in one day”, “ Ellis told the media.

“But there are a few things that you can modify, and a few things you can work on. The technical team has been very busy behind the scenes and leaving no stone not returned, so I think you don’t need motivation for a semi-final, and we are ready for the game.”

Although West Africans have a higher record of meetings between the two parties, the quadruple female coach of the year says that these previous meetings count for little now, with the highly higher issues this time.

She continued: “I don’t think that means a lot, it means, however, that we know that we can overcome the line, but I think that past results do not mean anything because it’s a different tournament and it’s three years.

“In addition, it is a different coach and new players, but it is the same Nigeria and they have the quality. We must be at the top of our game to make sure to overcome the obstacle.

“They are the only country that has defended consecutive many times, and it would be great for our country.”

The feelings of the coach of the coach Ellis, the dynamo of the midfielder Gabriela Salgado, says that the team is both physically and emotionally prepared for Nigerians.

“We know that we are going to the semi-final match, it’s going to be a challenge, but we are physically and mentally prepared” The 27 -year -old told the media.

“We know the responsibility we hold, and we are looking forward to a good match and, hopefully, finish it in the 90 minutes.

“Each match we play, we take our lessons, and we obviously take it in the next game and improve what we have learned from this game. Upon entering this game, I think that the game of Senegal of course gathered us as a team, we saw the desire, hunger in our eyes and that brought us closer to how we will need the other in the next match.

“I think the team is prepared, we are ready, we know what we have to do, and I think everyone is just on the same wavelength and we are delighted with the game.”

South Africa and Nigeria met for the last time during the group phase of the 2022 edition of Wafcon with the Super Falcons losing 2-1 thanks to the goals of Jermaine Seophanwe and Hilda Magia.