the chairman of the South African Football Association’s (SAFA) technical committee, Jack Maluleke, has expressed the organisation’s desire to retain the services of Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis, despite the team’s disappointing fourth-place finish at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco. Having originally departed as the defending champions with high hopes, the team returned home quietly after a series of tough matches that ultimately dashed their attempts at glory.
Arriving back in South Africa nearly unnoticed following their bronze medal playoff loss to Ghana, Banyana Banyana had aimed to build on their previous success. They had finished the group stages strongly, but their semi-final defeat to Nigeria, the eventual champions, proved the turning point. A fierce battle for third place with Ghana ended in a 1-0 loss for South Africa, leaving the team, and especially Ellis, with a bitter taste of disappointment.
When asked about her future, Ellis remained tight-lipped, choosing her words carefully amidst a swirl of media speculation. “I am not going to comment,” she said. “I have been taken out of context on numerous occasions, and I shouldn’t comment on that.” This reluctance to engage further suggests the coach is acutely aware of the ramifications of miscommunication during a high-stakes tournament.
The next chapter for Ellis and her team lies ahead with the qualifiers for the next WAFCON tournament set for October. There is an urgency to regroup, particularly given that this upcoming tournament will serve as a stepping stone to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil. Morocco has been confirmed as the host for the 16th edition of WAFCON, which is now delayed due to calendar adjustments made by the Confederation of African Football.
“We have to prepare for a qualifier in October,” Ellis said, while also recognising the formidable opponents ahead, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo, whom she noted should not be underestimated, despite a recent heavy loss in their group stage.
The upcoming qualifiers will require not only tactical prowess but also a significant level of team cohesion. With many veterans in the current squad now in their 30s, rebuilding the team for the future adds a layer of challenge for Ellis. Co-captain Refiloe-Jane echoed the necessity of focusing on upcoming commitments, stating unequivocally that “qualifying for the next WAFCON is non-negotiable.”
Further clarity on the pathway ahead for both Ellis and Banyana Banyana is expected following a performance review of their WAFCON campaign, which is scheduled to take place in early September. As the team looks to convert lessons learned into victories, the footballing community will be watching closely to see how they rise from this setback.