Desiree Ellis, one of the founding members of the Banyana Banyana team, experienced a watershed moment after leading the South Africans to a maiden Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title – as their coach.
She was there as assistant coach when Dutch football mentor Vera Pauw qualified the team for a second Olympics Games in 2016. The team’s maiden Olympic qualification had come four years earlier, courtesy of coach Joseph Mkhonza.
It was the fifth time the team had fallen at the final hurdle, having also reached tournament decider in 1995, 2000, 2008 and 2012 – the latter finals both taking place in Equatorial Guinea, where the hosts were crowned champions. She also featured in the 2000 edition as Banyana reached their first final – where they lost 2-0 to Nigeria’s Super Falcons.
Reflecting on that moment in her football career, Ellis, who is also a former Banyana Banyana captain, told journalists: “You always look back to go forward. You always look back at what you could’ve done better. It’s a cycle. But I am just glad that we’ve brought this medal home for the country.
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