Banyana coach Desiree Ellis feels her charges have learnt that they don't need to 'win pretty' all the time, and that adaptability could prove decisive in Saturday's Wafcon quarter-final against hosts Morocco.
Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis believes her side's growing ability to adapt to different match situations could prove decisive when South Africa face hosts Morocco in Saturday's Women's Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final, with a place at the 2027 Women's World Cup also at stake.
The 2022 Wafcon winners reached the knockout stages with a disciplined victory over Burkina Faso that showcased a different side to the team more commonly associated with slick passing football and attacking flair.
Now Ellis believes that tactical flexibility could be one of South Africa's greatest weapons as they return to Rabat, where they famously defeated Morocco to lift their maiden continental title four years ago.
"I think we've shown in this tournament that we can play differently," Ellis said after securing qualification from the group stage with victory over Burkina Faso. "If they stop you from playing your game, you can always go to a Plan B or Plan C and I think that is big for the team, that we're able to do that in the little time that we have together."
