Banyana Banyana coach happy with Senegal exercise

South Africa played two matches, sharing the spoils in a 1-1 draw in the first match before running out comfortable 2-0 winners in the second fixture on Tuesday evening. 

Ellis made five changes to her starting 11 but still managed to get the desired results – Lonathemba Mhlongo, Nicole Michael, Nonhlanhla Mthandi, Kholosa Biyana and Asanda Hadebe got the nod ahead of Karabo Dhlamini, Linda Motlhalo, Sinoxolo Cesane, Tiisetso Makhubela and Siyabulela Holweni.

"We made changes but we had absolute confidence and trust in the players that we made the changes with and obviously we could bring others in. I think the game plan worked really, really work today in controlling all areas of the pitch,” Ellis said.

“If we talk about the score line it could have been more because of the chances we created but we always look for improved performances and I think today showed the quality of our football, the way we want to play and I think it was a very successful exercise."

Ellis says they were able to study the first game and were disappointed with what they saw, knowing they should have done better.

She adds that they spent the past two days rectifying their mistakes and paid dividends.

"While we looked at the previous game and we were disappointed with ourselves because we felt we could have done better. We showed what we were capable of in the second half of the first game and we wanted to continue and keep improving,” she added.

“We said if we moved the ball around quicker and our movement is better, we will create opportunities and today we did that. From the first minute until the last minute, we were in control."