BANYANA Banyana are still confident of getting a podium finish despite going down 1-0 to Equatorial Guinea during the opening match of the eighth African Women Championship in Malabo yesterday.

South African coach Joseph Mkhonza said he was hoping that utility player Amanda Dlamini and company would bounce back.

"I thought we did well, but in soccer the most important thing is to score goals to win a match," Mkhonza explained.

"We were hoping to start the tournament on a high note, with a win, but it did not go our way. I'm still confident we will win the tournament, but we have to do well against Senegal and the Democratic Republic of Congo to remain in the challenge for the title."

Banyana Banyana take on Senegal in their second match of Group A on Wednesday.

Last night results was the third successive defeat by Equatorial Guinea over South Africa.

Equatorial Guinea beat Banyana Banyana 2-1 during the final of the 2008 final in Malabo and went on to register 4-1 victory in the semifinal in South Africa in 2010.