Banyana Banyana head coach Desiree Ellis has admitted that her team was second-best in the second half against Ghana, following South Africa's loss to the Black Queens in the 2024 CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations bronze medal match.
South Africa had beaten Ghana 2-0 in the group stage, but the Queens struck back in the third-place playoff, drawing 1-1 in regulation before edging the shootout 4-3 on penalties.
Speaking at the post-match press conference, Ellis praised Ghana's tactical response. "They came out counter pressing in the second half and most of the second half, especially in the first 15 minutes, we couldn't get our foot on the ball to slow the game down, to take control⦠they were just better than us in the second half," she stated. "So congratulations to Ghana." Ghana's bronze is their first AFCON medal since 2016, and the tactical display in the second half earned plaudits even from their opponents.
