09 June 2018 – Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis says she is calm and collected ahead of Sunday’s crucial CAF Women’s Nations Cup second leg match against Lesotho in which qualification to the Nations Cup in Ghana will catapult her into instant stardom.
Banyana Banyana leads 1-0 from the first leg and although Ellis was not too happy with the team’s performance away from home, the away win should give the South African Senior Women’s National team a good platform in which to finish off the opponents at Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium. The match kicks off at 15h00 and entrance is free of charge.
“I don’t have any nerves; the job is done from the technical team. We only have a few hours to go to the match but the job is done. It is now up to the players, we can’t play for them. After getting the 1-0 victory, they know they have no option but to qualify for the Nations Cup,” said Ellis.
Ellis remained modest saying qualification to Ghana would be at par with winning COSAFA in her short coaching career as the head coach.
“I would put it at par with winning COSAFA. You need to be champions of your region before thinking of qualifying for Nations Cup or the World Cup. It is important to think collectively because it is everyone who would have contributed to this achievement, not Desiree as the coach alone.”
Ellis said she was confident of a good crowd at Dr Petrus Molemela on Sunday as Banyana Banyana was one of the most loved national teams ever and draw big crowds wherever they go.
“We always know that fans come in their numbers to support Banyana Banyana; Bloemfontein has been very welcoming and we need to reward the fans for this by putting up a good performance. In that way we need to get a good result for the country. It will be a milestone for the girls and I am sure they won’t disappoint.”
The coach said the morale in the camp was electric and this has always been the norm with Banyana Banyana camps.
“The morale has been very high as usual. The young and senior players have been so united it is unbelievable. And this is a recipe for good things,” she concluded.