Coach Desiree Ellis of Banyana Banyana has praised the teamwork and self-assurance shown by her players throughout their WAFCON journey.
Just days before winning the WAFCON trophy, Ellis was named the CAF Women’s Coach of the Year.
Ellis was happy to be in charge when Banyana Banyana eventually won the big one because he had wanted to win it as both a player and a coach.
“I tried as a player to win the gold…in 2000 we lost to Nigeria. When I looked at something [referring to reports from some local media] it said that Morocco were the favourites, which was okay. It said that in two times that Nigeria were not in the final, Equatorial Guinea were the hosts [and beat Banyana] and I said ‘third time lucky brother’, it [that Morocco beat them] is not going to happen here…this [the trophy] is ours,” said Ellis.
According to Ellis, the team’s morale is at an all-time high since the players are positive and assured while remaining focused on their goal.
“The players were so incredibly confident when I looked at them during team meetings that I almost didn’t want to conduct team sessions any longer.
They always entered singing and dancing while using their large speaker. Even when we lost Thembi [Kgatlana, who quit the competition early due to a broken achilles tendon] they remained so assured and focused, remarked Ellis.
Banyana Banyana are a squad with a lot of untapped potential and a sign that the historically undervalued women’s game might use more professionalism.
There is a lot of anticipation that the momentum of the World Cup appearance and WAFCON victory would draw sponsors and advance the women’s game significantly.
Australia and New Zealand will jointly host the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023.
On October 22 of this year, the Aotea Center in Auckland, New Zealand, will host the tournament’s final draw.