Football analyst and founder of the Pitch Women's Football site, Ole Fulutudilu, has been criticized for not being patriotic in her analysis of Banyana Banyana matches in the Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) tournament currently underway in Morocco.
The former Banyana Banyana attacker was at the end of the stick after highlighting the threat posed by the Lady Elephants ahead of the Group B tie between South Africa and Côte d'Ivoire. Having played against some players in France, Fulutudilo warned South Africa about the dangers of underestimating the West African nation's attack. Though many felt the Malaga-based football pundit was unpatriotic, she insisted that her analyses were based on her experiences against some players in the Lady Elephants squad.
Fulutudilo says patriotism isn't about cheerleading "True patriotism isn't blind cheerleading. It’s about demanding excellence and speaking the truth because you care deeply about the team’s growth. When I analyzed the Ivory Coast match, I didn't say it to tear Banyana down, I said it to highlight the reality of modern African women's football. As someone who played in France and lined up alongside some of these players, sharing that first hand insight is my job as an analyst." Said Futuludilu.
Fulutudilu says Banyana Banyana has shown a resistance and never-say-die attitude in the match against Côte d'Ivoire, having to come back from a 2-0 deficit at halftime to draw the match 2-2. That comeback set the tone for the Group B decider against Burkina Faso. Banyana qualified for the quarterfinals after a 1-0 victory over Burkina Faso on Tuesday night. A 21st-minute strike from Thembi Kgatlana was enough to seal the victory.
Dr. Desiree Ellis charges will face hosts Morocco on Saturday night at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat, Morocco, at 22:00. A repeat of the 2022 WAFCON is on the cards, and the former Alan United striker says reaching the knockout was the ultimate target after a slow start to the tournament.
She says anything can happen in the knockout phase "The group stage hasn't gone according to script, losing to Tanzania and having to fight back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 against Ivory Coast put us in a tough spot where things weren't entirely in our own hands. But that second half fightback proved something critical: this team still has that championship spine and refusal to die.
The immediate priority was taking care of business against Burkina Faso in the final group game. Banyana qualified for the knockout rounds, anything can happen in the quarter final match. They have the international tournament experience with leaders like Thembi Kgatlana and Hildah Magaia who know how to deliver under pressure. It won't be easy, but yes, they absolutely have the ability to secure that World Cup spot."
The WAFCON proved that minnows have bridged the gap between themselves and the traditionally pedigreed nations. South Africa losing to Tanzania and Malawi beating the ten-time African champions, Nigeria, were statement results that many never anticipated. The former Alan United striker says the football landscape has shifted, and most nations on the continent have invested heavily in developing their football. As a result, the level of competitiveness on the continent has grown in leaps and bounds since her playing days.
"The gap across the continent has closed dramatically. Côte d'Ivoire has top tier talent playing in high stakes European leagues, including players capable of putting four goals past a club like PSG. On the other hand, the rest of Africa hasn't stood still.
Nations like Ivory Coast, Zambia, and Tanzania have invested heavily in foreign pipelines and academy structures. During my era, a few dominant teams controlled African football. It’s not a simple case of progressed or regressed, the entire landscape has shifted. On one hand, there is undeniable progress." Said Futuludilu
Writer: Malose Wa Ga Lamola
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