Ellis looking for improved performance against Zimbabwe in the COSAFA semifinal – South African Football Association

25 February 2026 – Sasol Banyana Banyana coach Dr Desiree Ellis says they are looking for an improved performance in the semi-final of the 2025 COSAFA Women’s Championship.

The call comes after the host nation was held to a 1-1 draw by Lesotho in the final group stages match of the tournament on Tuesday.

Dr Ellis had made seven changes to the team that defeated Angola in the previous fixture – with Dineo Magagula, Unathi Simayile, Sbongakonke Mzobe and Bonolo Mokoma all retaining their places, while Antonia Maponya, Khutso Pila, Asanda Hadebe, Thorisho Mphelo, Gugu Dhlamini, as well as debutants Zoe October and Fiona Namanyana were introduced against the side from the Mountain Kingdom.

But South Africa was stunned in the 30th minute by a Makhotso Moalusi strike as Lesotho scored their first goal of the tournament after three matches.

Banyana Banyana responded almost immediately through Thorisho Mphelo eight minutes later – her first goal for the senior women’s national team in only her second appearance.

“I thought we didn’t start well and they (Lesotho) were very aggressive, they came to play, and we just couldn’t get going. When they scored it was a wakeup call, and we scored a few minutes later. We played better in the second half and had a lot of opportunities after we made changes. We will go back and look at things and how we can do better because I felt we could have played a little better. Disappointed with the result as well as the performance,” said Dr Ellis.

South Africa looked better in the second half with the introduction of Bongiwe Thusi, Isabella Ludwig, Gabriela Moodaly-Salgado, Hadebe, Regina Mogolola for Namanyana, Simayile, Mphelo, Mzobe and Dhlamini.

“We changed the team a lot, we only had four players from the previous game and obviously now we are going to the semifinals – we have to improve on certain things to be better. We did say when we came here that we wanted to play five games, now we get the opportunity to do that because the game gives you match fitness. We will look back at what we’ve done, what we could have done better in the game against Lesotho, what worked, what didn’t work and then we will prepare for the semifinal,” added Dr Ellis.

Despite the draw against Lesotho, Banyana Banyana ended top of Group A following two wins and a draw, leaving them on seven points – five goals scored and one conceded. Lesotho will return home with just one point after two defeats and a draw.
South Africa take on Zimbabwe in the semi-finals on Friday at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane.

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