‘No second chances’: Ellis warns Banyana ahead of COSAFA semi-final

Banyana Banyana head coach Desiree Ellis has warned her side to rediscover their clinical edge as they prepare for a high-stakes COSAFA Women’s Championship semi-final clash against Zimbabwe today, Saturday afternoon.

The two regional rivals will face off at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, with a spot in Sunday’s final on the line. Both nations enter the knockout stage with identical records—two wins and a draw—having finished their respective group campaigns on seven points.

It is semi-final time!!
Ready to face Zimbabwe…#BanyanaBanyana
#LiveTheImpossible#SasolinSport@SasolinSport pic.twitter.com/Lxq8eLTAhI

— Sasol Banyana Banyana (@Banyana_Banyana) February 27, 2026

No Room for Error For Banyana

Following a disjointed 1-1 draw against Lesotho in their final Group A fixture, Ellis was candid about the need for an improved performance.

“The semi-finals are always tough; there are no second chances,” Ellis said. “It’s going to be a game of small margins, so we need to make sure that we keep a clean sheet. When we keep a clean sheet, it’s always an opportunity for us to grab a goal or two.”

The four-time CAF Women’s Coach of the Year emphasised that the knockout phase demands a higher level of concentration. “Semi-finals are never the way you think they are going to go, so we just have to make sure that we bring our A-game.”

Despite Zimbabwe qualifying as the best second-placed team (finishing behind Zambia in Group B), Ellis is under no illusions about the threat posed by the “Mighty Warriors.” She described them as a “sleeping giant” that has returned to form with an aggressive, physical style of play.

“They have shown that they can play… they were up there, and it’s like a sleeping giant returning,” Ellis noted. “They showed they can play very aggressively, very strongly, very quickly, so we really have to make sure that we defend really well. We have to make sure that when we get an opportunity now, we take it.”

While Banyana battles Zimbabwe at 15h00, defending champions Zambia face Namibia in the earlier semi-final at 12h00.

The winners of both matches will advance to the final on Sunday, March 1, at 15h00, while the losing sides will compete for the bronze medal earlier that day. For Ellis and South Africa, the goal remains clear: secure a victory today to maintain their pursuit of a record-extending eighth regional title.

Match Details

Fixture: South Africa vs. Zimbabwe (Semi-final)

Venue: New Peter Mokaba Stadium, Polokwane

Kick-off: 15h00 SAST

Final Date: Sunday, March 1, 2026