'This team has a lot of courage!' - Banyana boss Ellis elated with Awcon qualification

Banyana Banyana head coach Desiree Ellis praised her team's "courage" to hold on for a 3-1 aggregate victory against Algeria that ultimately secured their ticket to the 2022 Africa Women Cup of Nations.

All Ellis and her charges needed was to avoid defeat after their convincing 2-0 first-leg home victory last Friday.

However, on the cusp of the half-time in the second-leg at the Stade Omar Hamadi, Sylia Koui's goal gave the Algerians the hope they needed.

The home side continued to probe the visitors early in the second stanza, searching for the all-important aggregate equaliser.

Instead, luck was on Banyana's side.

Banyana were given spot kick after an Algerian player handled the ball in the penalty area.

Linda Mothlalo slotted home the penalty into the back of the net, which signalled that Algeria would have to score at least three goals to have a chance of qualification because of the away goals rule.

South Africa held on for the victory and will join 11 African contries, including host nation Morocco at the prestigious tournament which kick-starts in July. 

Cameroon, Morocco (host nation), Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa,  Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia

DEBUTANTS

Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Togo 

"Our finishing was poor, we could have been three or four (goals) up before they even scored their goal," Ellis told Banyana's media department after the game.

"Also, the defending of the goal, we could have done better, the left winger did not track back.

"But this team has got a lot of courage. This team has been in this position before and we needed to just keep on playing.

"We always knew that we would have gotten a chance again (at goal). Once the penalty went in, we simply took control of the game and played our game.

"You've got to