Group: B (Second Round)
Match: Equatorial Guinea vs South Africa
Venue: Cape Coast Stadium
Referee: Dorsaf GANOUATI (Tunisia)
Time: 18:30 GMT
South Africa versus Equatorial Guinea, Game 8 of the 2018 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations – two very familiar nations in the continental showpiece take a go at each other, aiming for victory to brighten the winner’s chances of making it to a semifinal place.
Banyana Banyana cut short their celebration after an outstanding 1-0 win against Nigeria in the opening game of Group B and will seek to brighten their chances for a slot in the next round with another victory against Equatorial Guinea.
Two-time champions Equatorial Guinea were humbled 5-0 in their opening day game against Zambia. Nzalang Nacional Feminino need to win convincingly in their remaining two encounters to stand any chance of a place in the semifinals.
Equatorial Guinea have had the better of South Africa in the past – with three victories, including a 2-1 win to lift the 2008 trophy, the Nzalang Nacional Feminino’s first title. South Africa’s only victory against Equatorial Guinea was a 2-0 win in a 2006, group B encounter.
A win for South Africa could see them through to the next stage of the competition if Zambia are able to prevent defeat against Nigeria – Equatorial Guinea will be sent packing early if they fail to pick at least a point against South Africa.
Team News
South Africa have no injury concern heading into the game and there might be some changes from the line up used against Nigeria as assured by head Coach Desiree Ellis – “We don’t have any injuries, and as for changes we will decide after our final training session if we need to make any.”
Jacky Messomo might miss out on the encounter in the case of Equatorial Guinea after limping off on 37 minute in the game against Zambia.
Managers’ Thoughts
Coach Desiree Ellis admits that underestimating an opponent goes against any team and her side will never do that – “We have started preparations for the Equatorial Guinea fixture and as I said before we cannot underestimate any team. You do that at your own peril.
“We have worked really hard all this year and are not going to drop the ball. We are going to be focused and take it game by game.”
The story is turned on its head in the case of Equatorial Guinea manager Jean-Paul Mpila who reckons they had little time to prepare and all mistakes made in the 5-0 defeat to Zambia have been corrected ahead the South Africa encounter.
“Ahead of the next match, we are almost done with our preparations.
“Football is played 90 minutes. If we are not done with 90 minutes, we cannot give up. Also, football is not logic to say since we lost our first game, we are going to lose again or perhaps win. Nobody including myself expected South Africa to beat Nigeria but it happened” – Coach Jean-Paul Mpila.
