When the lady in the middle blew her final whistle to bury Banyana Banyana's hopes of reaching this year's Olympic Games in France, the disappointment was almost tangible and South Africa's heartbreak rang loud in the capital city on Tuesday night.
South Africa’s senior women’s national team coach, Desiree Ellis did not hide her raw feelings after Banyana failed to overturn a 1-0 loss to Nigeria in the first-leg as the reverse fixture ended in a goalless draw, which propelled the Super Falcons to qualify for the global spectacle.
“It is a big disappointment, not just for us but for everyone involved in women’s football because we did not go in 2020, it was a similar situation. It will take a while to recover from this,” said Ellis.
“It is difficult to explain because of the expectations that we have for ourselves and that the rest of the country have for us, we felt we disappointed everybody. I don’t think you can explain disappointment but you hurt so badly inside that you almost don’t know what to say,” the Banyana mentor added.
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Banyana skipper, Refiloe Jane, echoed her coach’s sentiments but has assured South Africans that the one-time Women’s African Cup of Nations champions will bounce back.
“It is a huge disappointment and heartache because this group has worked hard and it has been a long journey for us to get here today and to get such a disappointment at the last hurdle, is so hurtful,” said Jane, who has been with Banyana for over a decade.
She added: “We will lift up our heads and try again like we have always tried again after failing. We are sad at the moment but tomorrow is a brand-new day and we will focus on what lies ahead.”
Despite Banyana’s heightened desperation to get over this setback, they may have to wait a while longer to get back into competitive action.
The Confederation of African Football has not guaranteed that it will stage this year’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations as the 2024 edition faces significant peril of cancellation for the second instance in four years.
The first cancellation occurred in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. This jeopardy stems from the competition lacking a fixed date within this year’s international match calendar.
Ramalepe’s centenary
While the general mood was sombre after the game, Banyana had one thing to be cheerful about, and that was inducting Lebohang Ramalepe into the exclusive group of players to reach 100 appearances for the national team.
“We are disappointed that we could not get that victory for her. She has been a true servant of the game.
“I remember when I came into the team when coach Vera Pauw was in charge, Ramalepe came in as a left winger but coach Vera converted her into the best right back the country has ever had,” Ellis said.
“She played abroad, came back, showed her qualities again and for a period of time, she was probably the first name on the team sheet, that is how good she has been for the team,” the Banyana mentor concluded.
We love you Lebo! @LRamalepe2 ❤️#LiveTheImpossible #NotDoneYet pic.twitter.com/J8ZdY8jjfo
— Banyana_Banyana (@Banyana_Banyana) April 10, 2024
