South Africa will go in search of a first Women’s Africa Cup of Nations crown in what is their sixth final appearance when they take on Morocco in the 2022 decider in Rabat on Saturday.
Coach Desiree Ellis’ side have won all five games in the competition so far and player-for-player look the more accomplished and experienced side, but Morocco will be roared on by their vociferous home support and have enough quality to spoil the Banyana Banyana party.
The two sides have never met in a competitive fixture before, but Banyana have already beaten north African opposition in this year’s campaign when they ousted Tunisia in the quarterfinals.
Ellis says she is not too worried about ceding home ground advantage and believes that if her side can play to their game-plan, they will be successful.
“We have played in front of full stadiums before,” he said. “In 2015, we played against Equatorial Guinea in the Olympic Games qualifiers and won. We played Brazil at the Olympic Games in the largest stadium in the world, the Maracana.
“So we have been in this situation before and we have played well. We are not worried about that. I know it won't be an easy game, the fans will be there in huge numbers, but we have to do what we have to do.
“We have to stay focused and make sure we don't concede, and we have to be clinical in front of goal.
“Morocco is not in the final by chance. A lot has been done in the country for the development of women's football. They have a professional championship, they brought back a coach who won the Uefa Champions League.
“Morocco has a very good team and we have analysed them well. Now it is up to us to execute what we have planned. If we apply what we have prepared, we will have a positive result.”
Morocco have seen a rapid improvement in their team as they appear in a first continental championship since 2000.
They have looked excellent in reaching the final, led by experienced French coach Reynald Pedros.
“We have been working on this for more than a year,” he said. “We arrive with some certainties and now we have to express it on the pitch. The enthusiasm of the public ensures we have to perform in every match with heart and desire.
“People can see that this team is ready to give everything for its country and its supporters. People have been coming to the stadium in huge numbers. If there was a stadium that seats 70 000 people, it would have been full.
“These are due to the efforts of the Moroccan Federation and the players, and now we must continue and not stop there. We'll see what happens, but it's already a successful Wafcon.
“They [South Africa] are the best team in Africa, along with Nigeria, but they have completely different characteristics. They are a team that plays good football, very technical. It will be a different style of play, a different opponent, but we are also here to impose our game and our style.
“We're going to do exactly the same thing. We've worked the same way and we've changed nothing at all. We're good at what we are doing, and I don't see the point of changing anything.”
“All that I hope is that we win this final and that there is a show and a feast for the 50 000 fans who will be there to enjoy themselves and I hope it will be a great game.”