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Time for Change in Banyana Banyana's Leadership as coach Desiree Ellis struggles to run a watertight ship

Time for Change in Banyana Banyana's Leadership as coach Desiree Ellis struggles to run a watertight ship

IOL News6 days ago
RESPECTED Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis has been criticised of appeasing Safa insteda of fighting for her players. | BackpagePix
The winds of change must blow within the senior national women's team set-up. It is clear that the binder that is supposed to hold the structure together has lost its bearings.
Desiree Ellis achieved the improbable with Banyana Banyana over the years, and for that, the nation will always worship the ground she walks on.
Perhaps, if it wasn't for her, Banyana wouldn't be regarded as one of the powerhouses of African football today as many came and failed before her!
Under Ellis' tutelage, the SA women's national team broke barriers, won their maiden Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) and qualified for back-to-back World Cup finals.
Perhaps, if it wasn't for her, some childhood dreams wouldn't have been realised and lives of some individuals and families wouldn't have been changed.
And so, given all that she's done and more, she's duly befitting of all the recognition that she's received, including the coveted Order of Ikhamanga and Honourary Doctorate.
But as rousing as that may have been, Banyana's unsavoury fourth-place finish at recent WAFCON and allegations against Ellis don't mitigate that her time is up.
Judging by the team's performances during their preparations of the teams on home soil and external, few believed that they'd achieve the improbable and retain their title in Morocco.
And instead of making sure the team made their naysayers eat humble pie - as everyone tends to love a twist in the tale - Banyana played right into the critics and finished fourth.
Sure, losing is part and parcel of the game as even the reigning and 10-time champions Nigeria also finished fourth when Banyana triumphed in 2022.
But what's worrisome and adds fuel to the fire of Banyana's poor run at WAFCON, is the revelation of Jermaine Seoposenwe during a recent interview on Marawa Sport Worldwide.
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