28 October 2024 – Coach Maud Khumalo asked her players to be more clinical in front of goal ahead of COSAFA Banyana Banyana’s final Group A match against Seychelles, and they followed her instructions masterfully as they beat the islanders 8-1 at Madibaz Stadium in Gqeberha on Monday.
The youthful Sasol-sponsored South African side was ruthless in front of goal and a hattrick from Kesha Hendricks, a brace from Sinamile Mkhwanazi and goals from Ntando Phahla, Ayesha Moosa and Tshegofatso Motlogelwa completed the rout. Asanda Hadebe wrapped up a successful day at the office for the South Africans when she walked away with the Player of the Match Award. Pascaline Moustache converted from the penalty spot to score the consolation goal for the islanders 15 minutes from time.
Khumalo’s charges had already qualified for the semifinals after beating Namibia and Eswatini in matches played earlier in the group stages, but they certainly did not take their foot off the pedal and proceeded to dismantle the visitors at will.
Khumalo said they were aware that Seychelles are still a developing team.
“We knew that Seychelles are building, and it is still a process for them. For us, it was more about fixing things we didn’t do right in the first two games in terms of scoring the goals, in terms of sticking to the game plan and our combinations,” Khumalo said.
“This is something we were doing in our training sessions. We need to have more players moving off the ball so that we create chances for the player who has the ball. I was encouraging Asanda Hadebe to be more offensive than defensive because most of the ball was coming to her side, and there was no pressure on her side”.
Khumalo said she was happy with the way her team performed against Seychelles.
“When the players go into camp, we set the standard and remind them why they are here. When they wear that jersey, they represent the national team, and they must forget where you are coming from.”
Seychelles coach, Chris Hew Seem Yip-Au Hew Seem, said they had learned some important lessons after the three matches they played in the group stages against Namibia, Eswatini and South Africa.
“I think for me, in every game that we played, we learned a lesson. In the match against Eswatini, the weather conditions were not very good for us and of course we saw how relentless they are,” she said.
“Against Namibia, we faced a team that has a very direct attack way of playing, so it was interesting to play a different playing style. And of course, we have South Africa. The coach (Khumalo) mentioned that they have a lot of combination play, so I think it’s very interesting to be exposed to these different playing styles. Definitely, we have learned many lessons, it was also very exciting for us”.
Khumalo will be happy with the way her team played in the group stages after scoring 12 goals (1-0 vs Namibia, 3-0 vs Eswatini and 8-1 vs Seychelles) and only conceding one (against Seychelles).
