Banyana ready for Zambia showdown in semifinal

Banyana Banyana stand on the cusp of another Women’s Africa Cup of Nations final as they seek a first-ever gold medal but will find semifinal opponents Zambia no pushovers in what should be a tightly-contested match-up in Casablanca on Monday, catch the action live on SuperSport at 7pm CAT.

The Southern African derby ensures at least one team from the region will be in the final, with the Copper Queens looking to build on their recent appearance at the Olympic Games and a first qualification for the Fifa Women’s World Cup. They are a team on the rise, who are not too dissimilar to South Africa in their approach.

Both are without their talismanic forwards who add pace to their frontlines, with Banyana missing Thembi Kgatlana through injury and Zambia without Barbra Banda. That certainly does put a different spin on the competition, but both are at least unburdened by the pressure of 2023 World Cup qualification with that in the back pocket already.

Banyana have five silver medals in the continental championship but never gold, and while, in truth, their major mission in Morocco has already been achieved, it would be a huge boost to the side to change that statistic.

“We absolutely have to win, to achieve our second goal, of being in the final,” said Banyana coach Desiree Ellis, who adds the team has adapted to shifting base from Rabat to Casablanca.

“It’s life in competition. Every time you take one step, you have to adapt to another environment. That is the way it is. Fortunately, we have a group of professionals who know this kind of thing and who adapt quickly.”

Banyana have dominated this fixture over the years, though the last two meetings have gone the way of Zambia.

The teams drew 1-1 in the Cosafa Cup in 2021 before the Copper Queens won on penalties, and they then humbled South Africa 3-0 in a friendly in February this year.

“It is a derby, and a derby is not only to be played, but to be won,” said Zambia coach Bruce Mwape.

“You can feel the excitement that is spreading throughout the country. We have received thousands of messages. Thanks to social networks, our team remains connected to our people. The girls feel invested with a mission to bring the cup home.”

The other semifinal will be a fascinating clash between hosts Morocco and perennial winners Nigeria, who might finally be beginning to find their stride in the competition.

Certainly Nigeria have the better team on paper, but don’t discount home support and the wave of emotion that will be flowing through the Moroccans.

“We are preparing this match like all the others, with a lot of seriousness and application. The main thing was to recover well after the quarterfinal, recharge the batteries and not to put negative pressure on the players,” said Morocco coach Reynald Pedros.

“Nigeria is the best team in Africa, that regularly participates in the World Cup. It is the country that has the most Wafcon titles. We know who we are dealing with. But in a one-off match, in a semifinal, anything is possible.

“It’s up to us to put all the ingredients together to win this match and reach the final. We know it will be difficult, but we are ready for it. We don’t go into the unknown, we know how Nigeria plays. it will be up to us to show that we are able to compete and qualify for the final.”

Nigeria’s American coach Randy Waldrum is equally buoyant about his team’s chances, though he says they respect their opponents greatly.

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“I saw them [Morocco] for the first time in September and I was very impressed by the quality of their team and by the football they play. I said as soon as I arrived in Morocco that they are the team that can surprise,” he said.

“I know how this team has developed for three years now. They are one of the best teams in the competition and are capable of beating any other team. We have respect for Morocco and the way they have played in this tournament.

“It’s a big challenge for us. Certainly, we have a lot of experience and a lot see us as favorites, but in football everything is possible, and we have to be ready for this game.”