Banyana flying SA's flag high, eyeing history

Cape Town - The Springboks have endured a year from hell while Bafana Bafana are on the verge of sacking coach Shakes Mashaba. 

But fear not!

Amid all of the chaos, Banyana Banyana are flying the South African flag high at the 2016 Women's Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon. 

Coach Desiree Ellis' charges have quietly gone about their business at the continental showpiece and will play in the tournament semi-finals against a fancied Nigeria outfit on Tuesday (20:00 SA time).

Banyana had struggled in their opening two matches of the tournament, drawing 0-0 with southern African neighbours Zimbabwe before going down 1-0 to hosts Cameroon in their second clash. 

It left them staring down the barrel of elimination, but a dominant 5-0 thrashing of Egypt in their final group game meant that they blasted their way into the semi-finals, finishing second in Group A behind Cameroon. 

Now, Banyana take their place alongside the continent's heavyweights in the last four. 

They will be massive underdogs on Tuesday night. 

Nigeria are the top ranked African side in world football (37th) while Banyana are 11 places behind in 48th. 

More than that, Nigeria have won a staggering NINE of the previous 11 tournaments, making them the most decorated team on the continent by some distance. 

If Banyana are to make their own piece of history over the next week - they have never won the tournament - they will have to be at their absolute best on Tuesday. 

The match will be televised on SuperSport 6.

Today we face Nigeria in the Semi Finals of the #AWCON2016 "Being UNDERESTIMATED is one of the biggest advantages u can have" LET'S DO THIS?? pic.twitter.com/CDxARaut2c

— Janine Van Wyk (@Janinevanwyk5) November 29, 2016