Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis satisfied with performances against Malawi as Wafcon approaches

The South Africa’s senior women’s soccer side coach, Desiree Ellis, lauded the resilience of her team after two victories against Malawi in international friendlies over the past week.

Banyana Banyana beat the Scorchers 3-0 and 2-1 in the two matches, which served as preparation for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon).

South Africa are out to defend their title as queens of Africa after they conquered the continent for the first time three years ago. Morocco will host Wafcon for the second successive year, from 5-26 July. Banyana Banyana are grouped with Ghana, Mali and Tanzania.

Depth is key

In the wake of the two friendlies against Malawi, Ellis said although Banyana Banyana’s performances were far from fluid, she was proud of their mentality.

“The resilience that this team shows. The fighting spirit that the team shows. The never-die attitude that they show gave us those victories,” said Ellis.

Over the past 12 months the Banyana technical team has expanded their options to ensure that their key players have capable deputies for the Morocco mission. Hence, against Lesotho in February, Ellis selected several youngsters, granting them an opportunity to audition for her final Wafcon squad.

University of Johannesburg winger Adrielle Mibe, JVW striker Tanna Hollis and her teammate Casey Gordon returned to the team after their displays against Lesotho. Even if they do not make the final Wafcon squad, they seem set to have a future with Banyana.

“If you look at the players that started and the players that came off the bench, we have a bit more depth now. That is really important because you can’t just have a starting 11 and then you don’t have that quality depth [on the bench],” said Ellis.

“In the previous Wafcon, we used our bench really well. But we are going to need a lot more versatility… The other teams haven’t stood still. They are playing on a regular basis [and improving],” said the Banyana coach.

Desiree Ellis. (Photo: Lefty Shivambu / Gallo Images)

Magnificent Motau  

Midfielder Amogelang Motau — who scored the winning goal via a scorching free-kick in the second match against Malawi — echoed the sentiments of her coach.

“Banyana Banyana are in a rebuilding phase right now. There are a lot of youngsters coming in, with a bit of experience… It’s trial and error, trying different formations. But it’s coming together,” Motau told SABC Sport after being named Player of the Match.

Motau plays in the Mexican top flight with Club Tijuana, which she joined in January. Her Banyana teammate Hildah Magaia also plays for Club Tijuana. Other Banyana stars plying their trade in Mexico’s Liga MX Femenil are Thembi Kgatlana, who plays for Tigres, and Jermaine Seoposenwe, who is with Monterrey.

Speaking on her move to North America, Motau said: “It’s one of the most difficult transitions I’ve ever had to make in my life. It came at a later stage, when I was 28. I didn’t expect it. But it shows the trajectory of women’s soccer in our country. Now it’s up to us who are there to do well so that we can open up doors for those who are coming behind us.”

Amogelang Motau during the 2024 Paris Olympic qualifier against Tanzania at Nelspruit's Mbombela Stadium on 27 February 2024. (Photo: Dirk Kotze/Gallo Images)

Disappointed Kgatlana

An avid advocate for women’s sports, Kgatlana told journalists that it was disappointing that Wafcon had been postponed for a year. The tournament was originally scheduled to take place in mid-2024 after qualifying was completed the year before.

However, the Confederation of African Football held it back by a year, citing a clash with the Paris Olympic Games.

“There is nothing we can do about it now because we are here. The conversations have started and we are playing friendly matches against Malawi to prepare for the tournament,” said Kgatlana.

“There needs to be proper planning. I am disappointed because all the men’s tournaments … are planned ahead and everything is great. On the women’s side it is terrible. This is something that has been going on for a long time, where women have to take the scraps all the time.”  DM