Dr Desiree Ellis, head coach of Banyana Banyana during the Banyana Banyana Squad Announcement at SABC Studios, Studio 7 in Johannesburg on 16 May 2025 ©Nokwanda Zondi/BackpagePix
Tuesday May 27, 2025. 15:00
South African womens’ team coach Dr Desiree Ellis is using the upcoming Three-Nations Series as a further selection opportunity ahead of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco in July.
Banyana Banyana will face off against Botswana and Zambia in the next week in a friendly series between the three nations.
Ellis selected a 22-player squad for the upcoming fixtures which includes a healthy mixture of youth and experience, and sees the return of all-important captain Refiloe Jane, who has recovered from injury.
“We want to keep our options open and make sure that we select the best possible squad with a lot of versatility for every eventuality because in 2016, we played differently. In 2018 we played differently, in 2022 we came differently and if you watched our games against Malawi, we played differently as well, changed the system,” said Ellis, speaking to SABC Sport.
Ellis emphasised that while fans want results, she is focussed on the quality of her sides performances and watching who steps up in the upcoming fixtures.
“We are more here in testing players, and giving them opportunities and sometimes when you are doing that, you don’t get the results you want, but it’s also about the performance because it’s about being ready for WAFCON. It will test us with some of the players coming back from injury, and what value they can still add, and also with the new ones if they can raise their hands,” she said.
“Winning while performing well is ideal, but this period is about preparation, giving players opportunities, and still aiming for a positive result.”
Banyana Banyana will play their first match of the friendly series against Botswana on Wednesday at the Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville.
“We know Botswana, we’ve played them often enough. They bring the physicality and also the counter-attacking, and the pace,” said Ellis ahead of the clash with South Africa’s neighbour.
By Nic Gleeson
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