Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis says she is impressed by the competition within her squad as the COSAFA defending champions wind up preparations for the Regional tournament that kicks off next week.

Defending champions Banyana are in Group A and will face Madagascar, Malawi and Botswana in pursuit of retaining the title again.

Ellis said her players’ positive attitude is what they need if they are to defend their title. The COSAFA tournament takes place in Port Elizabeth from 12 � 22 September 2018.

The Banyana Banyana coach said the idea of coming down to Port Elizabeth early was to allow the team to adjust to the conditions and the idea was paying off handsomely.

That is why we decided to fly down here in Port Elizabeth a week earlier before the tournament started. We wanted our players to get used the weather conditions. Some of our players come from inland provinces and so we knew that was going to give us problems should we arrive just few days before the tournament starts. All players have gotten used to the weather conditions now.

Ellis also revealed that USA based Thembi Kgatlana, Linda Motlhalo and Banyana captain Janine van Wyk would arrive on 11 September.

Source: South African Football Association