The senior women’s team are on the brink of making history after a sterling Africa Women’s Cup of Nations campaign up to this point – reaching the last-four after an unbeaten group-stage run.
Mali now stand between them and a place at their very first FIFA Women’s World Cup, which is set to be staged in France in June/July next year.
“We have been saying we will take this tournament game by game, and now the most important match is upon us,” said Ellis.
“This is a final for us, as qualification for the World Cup is non-negotiable. We have been dreaming of this moment for a long time, now it’s time to walk the talk.
“We are within touching distance and it is all in our hands. We have to leave everything on the field and not count on having a second bite of the cherry at the third and fourth-place play-off, as it does not exist in our minds.
“We have come too far to leave it all behind. This is one match that no player needs motivation for.”
Beating reigning tournament champions Nigeria in their opening group clash last week will mean very little now as they face a Mali side making their first appearance in the knockout stage of the continental finals, and Ellis is wary of taking them lightly.
“For the fact that they [Mali] are in the last-four means they are capable of playing, so we cannot take them for granted based on their past performance in this tournament,” she warned.
“Also, they have nothing to lose as this is their first semi-final in the tournament – while we have been here before, so the pressure is on us, hence we say it’s a do-or-die affair for us.
“Unfortunately, the good work we did in the group stages and the preparations before the start of the tournament will count for nothing, if we don’t get anything out of this game.
“We haven’t lost a game but that is all in the past – we are playing a new match altogether. We have to be at our best to realise our hopes and aspirations.”
After missing out on World Cup qualification to Nigeria in the semi-final and Ivory Coast in the third-place play-off in the 2014 AWCON, Banyana will be looking to use their hurt from four years ago to fuel them to victory this evening.
“Most of the players in this current squad know and understand the heartbreak of coming close, and we all don’t want to go through the same pain again,” said Ellis.
“History beckons for Banyana Banyana and South African women’s football – it is now or never. We are carrying the hopes of millions of South Africans on our shoulders, and they have been very supportive of this magnificent team.
“We believe it’s time we paid back the only way we know how – by ensuring qualification for the World Cup.
“We are all aware it will not be easy as Mali are no pushovers, so we will have to double our efforts to reach our goal. We have so much to lose so we cannot afford to slip up.”