By KOPANO MONAHENG
KE nako! Now, Mzansi has turned its eyes to Banyana Banyana and funny enough, Banyana’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (wafcon) journey has started almost the same way as Bafana’s World Cup campaign.
A defeat in the opening match, a draw in the second, and then a much-needed victory in the final group game.
But according to Banyana Banyana midfielder Kimberly Moodaly, that’s a minor setback. Banyana face the hosts Morocco in a knockout stage tomorrow evening. Kick-off is at 9pm.
“Now it’s do or die,” emphasised Moodaly. “We know what is at stake. We know what Morocco will bring. We know that they will have a full stadium, but we’ve been here before. It’s about how badly we want it. They’re also a team that likes to play, and I think it’s going to suit us very well,” she said.
The girls know what it means to carry the hopes of millions of South Africans and going into this match they will ensure that they convert all the chances they create. They know that when they walk onto that pitch, they are not playing for themselves alone. But they are playing for the football-loving citizens, they are playing for every supporter who puts everything aside when the national team is playing.
So, it’s going to be an interesting game of football and Banyana will want to do much better than they did in their previous matches and not underestimate any opponent they play against.
“I think with every team that we played, we didn’t take them lightly. Hence the results.
Also, but I think the positives would definitely be that mentality was there. We show character and resilience. And again, the type of team we are as Banyana, we don’t give up.”
So go out there and fight for every ball, every goal and make Mzansi happy, again!
