Banyana Banyana coach Maude Khumalo is almost certain that their Hollywoodbets Cosafa Women’s Championship fixture against Eswatini will not be a repeat of the Seychelles match.
The match will take place at the Isaac Wolfson Stadium in Kwazakhele at 3pm on Friday.
The opening fixture in Group A saw Eswatini record their biggest victory at the tournament, beating debutantes Seychelles 6-0 in the opening match before hosts SA edged Namibia 1-0 at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Tuesday.
Banyana brought a fairly inexperienced squad who could not convert several chances, especially in the opening half.
It was only in the dying minute of the game that Tshogofatso Motlogelwa scored the only goal in Banyana’s opening match of the tournament.
Eswatini have proven that scoring goals is not an issue and they will be looking to extend their goal tally in the tournament against SA.
However Khumalo is confident that her charges will be able to handle the high-flying Super Falcons.
She said there was no pressure on players going into this must-win encounter.
Eswatini are on top of Group A with three points, with Banyana Banyana second on goal difference.
“What we saw in the match against Seychelles and Eswatini is not going to be the same when we play against them,” Khumalo said.
“We are taking each game as it comes and we do not want to put pressure on ourselves, because some of these players are new to this set-up.
“Against Namibia they were nervous. They were shaking before the game and I told them we were there for them.
“The only thing you have to do is to stick to the game plan and to what you know best.
“When you are in a tournament you always start with the first game and you go to the next one, but you must also make sure the players are comfortable.
“Also, you make sure that whatever [mistake] that they did in the first game we just rectify and gradually they improve.”
Entrance to all matches is free, with tickets available at the stadium on match day.
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