Banyana coach Ellis ready for must-win clash versus Argentina

Ahead of their crucial FIFA World Cup clash against Argentina, Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis is ready to win as she prefers to call the encounter a historical one.

The reigning African champions, Banyana are out to bag a win considering the fact that a loss would end their hopes of reaching the next stage.

ALSO READ I Mbane warns Banyana teammates against Argentina threat

Ellis saw her Banyana charges go down 2-1 to Sweden in their opening Group G match last weekend and facing Argentina means a must-win.

ELIIS & BANYANA EYEING FIRST WORLD CUP WIN

With the eagerly anticipated encounter versus Argentina set to be staged at Forsyth Barr Stadium in the early hours of Friday morning, Ellis is aware they must be clinical upfront.

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“This is more than just historical, it’s a game we must win. Yes, it will be history when we win as it will be our first win (in a World Cup), but more than that, it is our final,” Ellis said in a press briefing.

“We cannot look any further than this game because anything else doesn’t matter at this moment. That game is the most important one.

“When we started here, we looked at Sweden, and the other two teams were not far off our minds – for now, we must face the task at hand, and that is Argentina.

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“It might be our second World Cup, but this team has matured so much over the last four years and gotten so much better mentally with all the challenges that we faced.”

DEFENDER MBANE WARNS BANYANA, ELLIS WANTS A WIN OVER ARGENTINA

ALSO READ I Banyana’s Ellis on why underfire Swart started ahead of Dlamini

In a recent post on Banyana, The South African also reported that defender Bambanani Mbane has warned her teammates against taking Argentina lightly.

The seasoned Sterkspruit-born Banyana and Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies defender explained that they can’t afford to underestimate any opponent on the global stage.

Banyana are looking to reach the knockout stages for the first time in a World Cup tournament and a win will boost their aspirations.

ALSO READ I Banyana’s Dlamini unfazed by FIFA World Cup opponents

“We are not in a position to underestimate any team. Argentina may have lost to Italy but we can’t rely on that because we don’t know how they’ll approach the game against us,” Mbane to SA press.

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