Desiree Ellis remains committed to Banyana Banyana despite Wafcon struggles
Banyana are set to finish fourth at the Women's Africa Cup of Nations finals which is set to conclude Sunday night after relinquishing their crown.
Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis says she'll continue to 'trust the process' as her team turns over a new chapter after an underwhelming continental outing.
After getting out of the group stage comfortably, they were not convincing in the knockout stage as they beat Senegal on penalties in the quarter–final and lost 2-1 to arch-rivals Nigeria in the semi-final.
Banyana were not at their best in the third/fourth place play-offs either as they lost to Ghana 4-3 on penalties after the match ended 1-1 in regulation time Friday night.
Their shortcomings in the crucial stages of the tournament somewhat hinted at the toll the team took prior to the tournament following another bonus row with Safa.
Ellis said they were at the tournament to win it during her post-match press conference at Stade El Arbi Zaouli in Casablanca though.
'Everyone that goes to a tournament has the ambition of winning it - Nigeria have been the only country that has defended it, though they didn't at times,' Ellis said.
'Equatorial Guinea won it twice, but we didn't get there - but it was so, so close. I think what happened there (against Nigeria) took a lot out of the players.
'We knew that we were going to play in the play-offs match, but we unfortunately didn't do well today.'
Banyana's shortcomings in Morocco have seen some members of the football fraternity call for Ellis to be released, citing that she's out of sorts.
This is due to the fact that the team needs a new direction and strategy given that some key players have already called time on their international careers, while others are close to.
Jermaine Seoposenwe retired from international football after Wafcon, saying she's taking care of her well-being, while Thembi Kgatlana withdrew from being considered for the event, citing personal reasons.
Ellis, though, insists that she's still the right coach to usher Banyana to a new era having been the brains behind Banyana's first qualification for the World Cup in 2019 and triumph at Wafcon in 2022.
'I have been with the team since 2014 as an assistant, 2016 as an acting coach and 2018 as the head coach - so it's a process,' Ellis reflected.
'Unfortunately, the process is always to win. That is the thing with fans, they don't see the bigger picture. So, we trust the process.
'We are also a team in transition. We trust the process, but fans don't trust the process - all they want is results.
'They don't see what you are doing and how the team is evolving, they don't see those things. When you are in the national team, fans want results.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
35 minutes ago
- IOL News
Banyana Banyana's future uncertain after WAFCON disappointment
The weight of expectation: Banyana Banyana's coach Desiree Ellis faces an uncertain future after the team's disappointing WAFCON campaign. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpagepix COMMENT Following their WAFCON failures (semi-final and bronze medal), the mood surrounding Banyana Banyana is sombre. Following their Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) semi-final and bronze medal failures, a sombre mood surrounds Banyana Banyana. A once-promising campaign ended in disappointment, leaving supporters and pundits alike contemplating the future of coach Desiree Ellis. The echoes of disappointment resonate not only on the pitch but also in the media, where calls for introspection and potential change have taken centre stage. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading Following the team's underwhelming performance at the continental tournament, several media commentators have voiced their opinions with a striking mix of concern and urgency. One stark message directed at Ellis suggested: 'Do yourself a favour, jump before you're pushed.' This honest advice highlights the level of scrutiny the team faces after the tournament, which fell well short of the expectations for the defending WAFCON champions. Another piece of veiled advice carried a poetic tone: 'A good dancer knows when to leave the stage.' This metaphor not only highlights the need for introspection but also questions whether Ellis remains the right conductor for the orchestra that is Banyana Banyana. The dance of sport requires a certain deftness and timing, and there are growing concerns that perhaps the rhythm of the team's success has faltered under her guidance. Ellis's achievements cannot be dismissed. She guided Banyana Banyana to a historic first WAFCON title and a World Cup last-16 round appearance. However, the reality of the sport means that past glories can quickly fade under the weight of fresh expectations. In South Africa, sport is more than just a game; it embodies national pride, unity, and hope, elevating the pressure on coaches and players alike. As the squad makes its way home, former players and experts have weighed in on the debate. Some advocate for patience and continuity with Ellis, arguing that building a successful national team takes time and perseverance. Others have echoed calls for a change in leadership as the first step towards the necessary reform.
eNCA
an hour ago
- eNCA
Defending champions England beat Spain on penalties to win Women's Euro 2025
LONDON - Chloe Kelly converted the decisive kick as England beat Spain 3-1 on penalties to lift the Women's Euro 2025 trophy after Sunday's game had finished 1-1 at the end of extra time, allowing the Lionesses to avenge their defeat in the World Cup final two years ago and retain their continental crown. It looked as though Spain would repeat their victory over England in Sydney in 2023 as they dominated the game at St Jakob-Park in Basel and led through Mariona Caldentey's first-half header. But England did not panic, having already trailed against both Sweden in the quarter-finals and Italy in the semis before finding a way to win. Alessia Russo headed in their equaliser just before the hour mark, and no further goals meant a shoot-out in which Kelly -- who once again had a huge impact off the bench -- netted the winner. "I was cool, I was composed. I knew I was going to hit the back of the net," Kelly told the BBC of her penalty. It was an agonising way to lose for Spain, but they failed to score three of their spot-kicks, with reigning Ballon d'Or Aitana Bonmati seeing her effort saved. Sarina Wiegman's England are therefore back-to-back European champions, three years after they defeated Germany in extra time at Wembley to win a first women's major tournament. "What a team. What a game. What drama. You dug deep when it mattered most and you've made the nation proud. History makers," British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who was at the match, wrote on X. Defeating Spain helps make up for the pain of losing the World Cup final in 2023, and England's victory also confirms Wiegman's place among the coaching greats. She has now won three consecutive European Championships, having led her native Netherlands to victory in 2017 before doing the same with England three years ago. "We said we can win by any means and that's what we have shown again today. I am so proud of the team and the staff. It is incredible," said Wiegman, whose team lost to France in their first match at the tournament. "Losing your first game and becoming European champions is incredible," she added. Spain fell short in their quest to add a maiden European Championship title to the World Cup they won in Australia. La Roja dominated possession as expected, but ultimately paid the price for not killing the game against an England side who never know when they are beaten. "I am in shock," Bonmati told broadcaster TVE before apologising for failing from the spot.
IOL News
15 hours ago
- IOL News
T20I Tri-Series: Five things' Proteas learned in Harare
Dewald Brevis was a standout performer for the Proteas in Harare. Picture: Zimbabwe Cricket The Proteas' fell just short of stealing the T20I Tri-Series from New Zealand in Harare, but there was plenty for coach Shukri Conrad to ponder about in his first white-ball competition. Independent Media's Zaahier Adams selects five takeaways from the series. 1. Youth is the future Conrad showed his hand when the white-balls squads for Australia were named prior to the final, but Lhuan-dre Pretorius repaid the faith with an exhilarating knock in the final. After struggling during the early stages of the competition, with the Powerplay actually proving to be the most difficult time to bat in Zimbabwe, Pretorius was moved down to the middle-order. But he is most destructive at the top, and Conrad shifted him back up for the final and Pretorius responded with a maiden T20I half-century. The teenager is an ideal backup for Ryan Rickelton. 🙌 Absolutely fantastic from Lhuan-dré Pretorius! A destructive half-century in the Final as he rose to the occasion when it mattered most 💥🇿🇦. #WozaNawe — Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) July 26, 2025 Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading 2. Brilliant Brevis Equally, the time is now Dewald Brevis. After a couple of years working out his gameplan after the initial hype, Brevis is now ready to be unleashed. There are few cleaner strikers of a cricket ball in the world at the moment, and along with the athleticism that Brevis brings in the field, he is a dynamite T20 package. The 22-year-old took the Proteas to within one strike of lifting the trophy, and the pain felt from not taking his team over the finish line will linger and be the motivation to complete the job the next time he has the opportunity. 3. Thanks Keshav It was not much more than a year ago when Keshav Maharaj was tasked with bowling the final over of a tense T20 World Cup match against Bangladesh in New York. In typical Maharaj fashion, the left-arm spinner responded to the call and completed the job. But it is clear that Maharaj's services will no longer be required in the shortest format. The Proteas are seeking for allrounders across formats, and George Linde has shown that he can smash a long ball, while Senuran Muthusamy is a capable batter that was even utilised at No 4 in one of the matches. The duo have overtaken Maharaj in T20 cricket with Muthusamuy's economy of 6.36 during the series showing his capabilities with the ball. End of the PowerPlay in this Tri-Nations Final 🏆. A rapid start in this first innings; our Proteas Men remain on the hunt for that all-important breakthrough to swing the momentum! 💥🇿🇦 New Zealand are 52/0 after 6 overs. 🏏#WozaNawe — Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) July 26, 2025 4. Razzle Dazzle Reeza Hendricks is South Africa's leading run-scorer in T20Is this past 12 months - with almost double the next best of Tristan Stubbs. In all likelihood, Hendricks could win his third consecutive CSA T20 Player of the Year award on Thursday. But that's still not going to be enough for 'Razzle Dazzle' to keep his place at the top of the order. The stylish right-hander does not fit the gameplan that Conrad wants to move forward with, even though he scored 41 and 37 in two matches against New Zealand. At 34-years-old, it is hard to see Hendricks making a comeback to the T20I squad and there is a feeling that the Harare final may have been his last for the Proteas. 5. Revitalised Lungi The big Proteas seamer often has to endure plenty of criticism, but there's no doubt that Ngidi has taken plenty of confidence from his performance in the WTC Final at Lord's. Equally, Ngidi is approaching peak fitness which has a significant effect on his bowling. Coupled with his skill-set of being able to deliver cutters and slower balls almost at will, Ngidi is a vital part of the Proteas' T20 attack. He has also showed greater consistency during the death overs in Harare.
