I believe in Banyana Banyana qualities, says coach Desiree Ellis
Image: Backpagepix
Desiree Ellis has backed Banyana Banyana as 'the contenders' for the Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), despite the off-field challenges surrounding the team.
Banyana are competing at the ongoing tournament in Morocco as defending champions, having claimed their maiden crown three years ago. But with a cloud of disruption looming over their campaign, few are tipping them to retain the title this month.
The team staged a stay-in protest upon their arrival in Casablanca a week ago, citing unpaid fees by the South African Football Association (SAFA) related to their preparation matches.
When you're this ready for WAFCON, even your feet can't stay on the ground 😅🦅#BanyanaBanyana 💛 pic.twitter.com/4OarofhdPI — Banyana_Banyana (@Banyana_Banyana) July 4, 2025
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SAFA's executives claimed during a recent congress that the 'minor issue' had been resolved, and that the team had resumed training. However, it later emerged that the matter remained unresolved — Banyana had returned to the pitch not because of a settlement, but because they did not want to let the nation down.
Soon after, they were dealt another blow as the long-standing partnership between their main sponsor, Sasol, and SAFA came to an end — inadvertently affecting the team's stability and support.
Amid the chaos, Banyana's final squad was already missing several key players. Talismanic striker Thembi Kgatlana withdrew due to 'personal reasons', while veteran defender Noko Matlou had retired before the tournament. Midfielder Kholosa Biyana is also absent, and Jermaine Seoposenwe has announced that she will retire from international football after WAFCON.
Despite the setbacks, Ellis remains confident. Speaking at a pre-match press conference ahead of their opener against Ghana at Honneur Stadium in Oujda on Monday night (6pm), the Banyana coach affirmed her belief in the squad.
Retiring From International Football pic.twitter.com/Xgcv9cDzzd — Jermaine Seoposenwe (@jermaine109) June 16, 2025
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I believe in Banyana Banyana qualities, says coach Desiree Ellis
Banyana Banyana head coach Desiree Ellis remains defiant ahead of their WAFCON opener, backing her resilient squad to overcome off-field turmoil and defend their continental crown in Morocco. Photo: Backpageix Image: Backpagepix Desiree Ellis has backed Banyana Banyana as 'the contenders' for the Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), despite the off-field challenges surrounding the team. Banyana are competing at the ongoing tournament in Morocco as defending champions, having claimed their maiden crown three years ago. But with a cloud of disruption looming over their campaign, few are tipping them to retain the title this month. The team staged a stay-in protest upon their arrival in Casablanca a week ago, citing unpaid fees by the South African Football Association (SAFA) related to their preparation matches. When you're this ready for WAFCON, even your feet can't stay on the ground 😅🦅#BanyanaBanyana 💛 — Banyana_Banyana (@Banyana_Banyana) July 4, 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 SAFA's executives claimed during a recent congress that the 'minor issue' had been resolved, and that the team had resumed training. However, it later emerged that the matter remained unresolved — Banyana had returned to the pitch not because of a settlement, but because they did not want to let the nation down. Soon after, they were dealt another blow as the long-standing partnership between their main sponsor, Sasol, and SAFA came to an end — inadvertently affecting the team's stability and support. Amid the chaos, Banyana's final squad was already missing several key players. Talismanic striker Thembi Kgatlana withdrew due to 'personal reasons', while veteran defender Noko Matlou had retired before the tournament. Midfielder Kholosa Biyana is also absent, and Jermaine Seoposenwe has announced that she will retire from international football after WAFCON. Despite the setbacks, Ellis remains confident. Speaking at a pre-match press conference ahead of their opener against Ghana at Honneur Stadium in Oujda on Monday night (6pm), the Banyana coach affirmed her belief in the squad. Retiring From International Football — Jermaine Seoposenwe (@jermaine109) June 16, 2025
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