Thinasonke Mbuli reacts to UWC maiden CAFWCL Qualifiers final

UWC are now just one hurdle away from booking a spot in the tournament proper, which is scheduled to be held later this year, and will face Botswana’s Gaborone United, who beat Herentals Queens 1-0 in the other semi-final. 

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Mbuli says their intention was to seal victory in the first half, and it all came together as they led 2-0 at the break.

"We had a plan, which was to try and finish the game in the first half so that we could rest some of the players that have played maybe 270 minutes-plus," said Mbuli.

"I think it worked, we went into half-time leading and then we scored early in the second half, and that's why you saw a lot of changes, and that was the plan – to try and finish off the game in the first half."

The Banyana Banyana assistant coach says they have always wanted to compete in this tournament, and not make up the numbers.

"You always go into a tournament with the intention of winning. Our goal, as a team, has always been to come here, and not just come here to add numbers, but to come here and try to go all the way," she added.

"That's why, after the first game, I was concerned, but I was happy with the performance – I even said it because I knew we would lose the focus on what we want to achieve, if we had to rush and be worried about losing the first match.

"But our goal has been to come here, and I said back home, we're going to play five games, we're playing to be in game number five [the final]."