Banyana Banyana delivered a disappointing performance against Tanzania on Friday night in their Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) clash at the Honneur Stadium in Oujda, Morocco, but head coach Dr Desiree Ellis has come to the team’s defence.

The defending champions, placed second in CAF rankings, were expected to brush aside 23rd-ranked Tanzania, but the East Africans were first on the scoresheet, and Banyana Banyana could only manage a 1-1 draw in the end.

Center-back Bambanani Mbane came to the rescue in the 70th minute.

Banyana Banyana remain top of Group C with four points, but a win would have secured early qualification to the quarterfinal stage.

“We said before the match that no game is easy; we saw how Nigeria scored in the last minute (against Botswana). That’s how difficult the games are going to be,” argued Dr. Ellis.

“But you have to take your chances. We felt if we got the three points, we would go through to the next round already, but it was not to be; there is still some more work to be done.

“There is no easy team anymore; they hadn’t picked up any points, we knew they needed to win at all costs, and they came with a plan, made us play like a team under pressure when we were not under pressure, playing into their hands at times with the long ball, but still there is all to play for in the group,” said Dr. Ellis.

South Africa’s final group game is against Mali on Monday at the same venue, while Tanzania will tackle Ghana. Both games will kick off at the same time, at 21h00 South African time.