Banyana Banyana head coach Desiree Ellis has explained why goalkeeper Kylian Swart is playing ahead of experienced Andile Dlamini and why they are not using the experience of Noko Matlou.
Ellis has received criticism for playing Swart in goal ahead of Dlamini, who was between the sticks in Banyana's first World Cup appearance in 2019 and was also the preferred choice at the 2022 Women's Africa Cup of Nations, where Banyana won the title with an unbeaten record.
READ: Bobby Breaks Silence On Mhango Rumours
Swart surprisingly started in the warm-up friendly win over Costa Rica and retained her place in the opening group game against Sweden, where Banyana lost 2-1.
The JVW goalkeeper was also in goal when Banyana squandered a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with Argentina in their second group game.
Ellis says what is key for Swart starting is her ability to help the team play out from the back and her stats in that regard are higher than many goalkeepers at the tournament.
"I'm not sure what that is based on because if you look at Kaylin's involvement, including the back passes (playing from the back) is higher than many other goalkeepers in the tournament," Ellis said in a virtual press conference.
"We selected Kaylin specifically because she's able to assist us when we go back, to get us on the front foot as well," she said.
Another experienced Banyana player Noko Matlou, 37, has not been starting at the World Cup and there has been suggestions that her height, physicality and experience could have helped Banyana against Sweden and Argentina.
However, Ellis says they did not have a height problem against Sweden and Argentina and that the main issue was their organisation.
"I don't think it was a height problem, it was more of an organisational problem, as Sweden scored one out of the 13 corners and if you look, they scored three out of seven against Italy, who had more players than ours who had higher height," Ellis said.
"The second goal we conceded, where the Argentinian headed the ball, that player was only 1,5 meters, so it's more an organisational problem than a height problem."
READ: Galaxy Take Parker Option
Nigeria, Morocco and Zambia (although eliminated) have won games at the World Cup and Ellis also answered the question on whether that puts them under additional pressure to win their final group game against Italy.
"I think it's fantastic that Nigeria, Morocco and Zambia have won but I don't think the other (African) teams winning puts any additional pressure on us," Ellis responded.
"I think we put pressure on ourselves because we really want the result so it's not about other teams but it's more about us," she added.
Banyana need to win their final game against Italy on Wednesday morning to stand any chance of qualifying for the last 16.
You must be SIGNED IN to read and post comments.
