Banyana Banyana will look to maintain their top position in Group C when they meet Mali in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) on Monday.

South Africa’s women’s senior national team is guaranteed a place in the quarter-finals, but the top spot in their group is still up for grabs.

Banyana and Mali are on four points each, but Dr. Desiree Ellis’ charges are ahead on goal difference.

CAF first considers head-to-head to separate two teams on the same number of points, and if Banyana avoid defeat at the Honneur Stadium (21H00), they’ll finish top of the group.

“We can get a point (against Mali) but I think to play for a point is very dangerous. As long as I can remember, when we needed a draw, we’ve never gone to play for a point because you get caught. I’ve seen it happen to big teams,” said Dr. Ellis ahead of the clash.

“I don’t know what year it was, but Benni McCarthy at Porto, Man United needing a draw (in 2004) and losing it right at the end, and so we’re not that kind of team that will take it out of our hands.

“Not sure what they (Mali) are going to do; obviously we’ll see when the game starts how they set up, whether they sit deep or whether they come. But we have it in our hands to top the group, so we want to make sure that we win the game,” added Dr. Ellis.

This will be the second time the two nations meet, with the previous match ending in a 2-0 victory for South Africa in this same competition back in 2018 in Ghana in the semi-finals.

Both sides have travelled a similar path in the current edition so far—a win and a draw each, and conceded one goal apiece.

“The last time we played Mali was 2018, where we actually wanted to go to the next stage, and what we know about them is that they are a typical African team—very physical, and they have a key player in their striker.

“But we have a good analysis team that is briefing us on that, and we know that it’s going to be a tough game.”