Football
KweséESPN staff 5y

Banyana coach Ellis pleased to draw Nigeria in AWCON group

South Africa coach Des Ellis says she is pleased to be meeting Nigeria in the group stage of the 2018 Africa Women Cup of Nations, as her side seeks a first-ever qualification for the FIFA Women's World Cup.

Banyana Banyana, who have been runners-up in the continental championship on four previous occasions, have been pooled with the Super Falcons, Kenya, and fellow Southern African side Zambia for the tournament in Ghana from November 17 to December 1.

It means Banyana will avoid tournament favourites Nigeria in the semifinals, if they make it that far, potentially boosting their chances of reaching the World Cup in France next year. The top three teams in Ghana will represent the continent on the global stage.  

"There was never going to be an easy group - all eight teams that have qualified are top quality, and we all know that to be the best, you have to beat the best," Ellis said in a media release from the South African Football Association.

"We have been anxiously waiting for this draw to take place so that we take our preparations to the next level now that we know who we will face in the tournament."

South Africa open their campaign against the Nigerians on November 18 in Cape Coast, before clashes against Kenya and Zambia round out their pool play.

Ellis added: "Nigeria has won this tournament a record 10 times and they are the defending champions, so they will definitely be sensing victory against us.

"But we are glad to be meeting them now and not later in the tournament because our last encounter ended in tears for us. We lost 1-0 in the semifinal of this competition in 2016, and that denied us a chance to be at the World Cup.

"Playing them in the first match is also a tricky affair because you have to be on top of your game from the first whistle, and any mistake they will punish you.

"In any case, I always tell the players that the first fixtures of any tournament are very important as they set the tone for the rest of the competition. I believe we will be ready for them this time - we are much wiser."

Kenya only qualified for AWCON after Equatorial Guinea were disqualified for fielding an ineligible player, while Zambia could only manage fourth at the recent COSAFA Women's Championship.

In terms of their potential semifinal opponents, Group A contains hosts Ghana, Mali, Algeria and Cameroon, who Banyana defeated 2-1 in a hard-fought final of the COSAFA event last month.

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