Mbane: Banyana Banyana has the mentality to survive WAFCON group stages

The South African national team has been drawn in Group B against the likes of Burkina Faso, Cote D’Ivoire and Tanzania for the 14th edition of the continental showpiece, to take place in Morocco between 17 March and 3 April.

Speaking to SABC Sport, Mbane says they are aware that they have been pitted against physical teams, but believes they will come up with a solid plan to help surpass this group.

“Honestly, the mandate for us is to win this year. We are in a strong group that is Group B, but you need to remember that in the qualifiers we played a strong team, a team that is also physical which is Congo and we won - we know how to approach physical teams.

So, we have a plan for Burkina Faso and Cote D’Ivoire,” said Mbane.

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Mbane says this year’s WAFCON edition will be a great platform for youngsters to get a feel of international football, and it will also help integrate them into the system as coach Desiree Ellis plans for the future of the team.

“This is the time for youngsters to shine, some of them traveled with us last year but didn’t play. I like that they know what to expect, but I hope they will get some game time and use this opportunity to get a feel of international football. I like that they are teachable and have an interest to do better,” added Mbane.

Banyana Banyana were eliminated in the semi-finals in last year’s edition in Morocco. The veteran defender explains that the team needs to go a step higher than last year’s achievement and aim to return home with the trophy just as they did in 2022.

“Like I said the mandate is to go all the way to the final this year, we want to win the trophy and repeat what we did in 2022. Last year was not so great for us, but this year we are aiming higher.”