Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis was relieved to have advanced to the semifinals of the Cosafa Women’s Championship but says her team must improve for the knockout stages if they are to retain their title.

South Africa have won the regional showpiece for the last four years running, but have perhaps been tested more this year than in previous editions with a largely home-based squad.

Their 3-1 win over Mozambique on Monday sealed their place in the last four stage and await for Tuesday to know their opponents after the conclusion of Group C matches.

“We started very well, could have been 2-0 up within the first five minutes with two very good chances,” Ellis said.

Ellis said that overall she was pleased, but acknowledged that the team have yet to hit top gear in the competition.

“It was an improved performance, but it will have to be better in the semifinals. There is no second chance there, and we have to be better in all departments. We know if we can keep a clean-sheet, we can always score,” said Ellis.

“We do need to be better in the final third though, the chances that we had, we could have been out of sight.”

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