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Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis says the team must follow the game plan to secure a win in their second WAFCON Group stage clash against Tanzania tonight.
The defending champions will look to maintain their winning momentum coming into this clash as they are fresh off a 2-0 victory over Ghana.
Speaking at the pre-match presser, Ellis says their previous record against the Twiga Stars does not count at this point in the tournament, as anything is possible in football.
"We need to make sure that we don't concede because we know that we are going to create goalscoring opportunities.
"In the same breath, when we arrive in the final third, we have to convert our chances. In the match against Ghana, we had quite a few chances to seal the victory before they went on to hit the crossbar. So we need to be aware of that," stressed the 4-time CAF Women's Coach of the Year.
Tanzania is one of the lowest-ranked African teams in this competition, and this serves as their return to the continental showpiece for the second time since 2010. Ellis says every match is important and there’s no room to underestimate any team.
"You underestimate the team at your own peril. When you step onto that field, it's 11 vs 11. People forget that you plan against a team that is also analysing you," noted Ellis.
Meanwhile, Tanzania coach Bakari Shime says that they have prepared well to make sure that they secure their first win of the tournament against the defending champions.
"We are aiming for the three points, and without the three points, we won't be able to make it through to the next round. We have to be very careful in this match, but we also need to play our football."
