Banyana Banyana coach Dr Desiree Ellis has been inducted into the South African Hall of Fame.
Ellis has been rewarded for the work she achieved with the South African team over the years which culminated in victory at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in 2022.
A proud moment for Dr Ellis (Pic – Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix)
The coach was inducted alongside former Bafana Bafana coach Ephraim “Shakes” Mashaba, former national team captains Neil Tovey and Lucas Radebe, Patrick “Ace” Ntsoelengoe, Jomo Sono and Nelson “Teenage” Dladla.
A grateful Ellis said on the SAFA website: “I just need to thank a lot of people who were part of my journey because without their contribution, I wouldn’t be standing where I am.
“A special mention, of course, must go to the Banyana Banyana players, the staff, the South African Football Association (SAFA) and Sasol. I don’t work in isolation.
“I think it’s through their fantastic efforts that I’m able to stand up there. And also, a big thank you to everyone out there that works in women’s sport and women’s football because we all know the challenges we face. But through all of that, we’re still able to perform on the international arena. Again, a big thank you to SAFA and Sasol for their unwavering support, and of course, the new player in women’s football, VW, who has come on board.”
Ellis added: “We can only get better and bigger from here onwards. Thank you to everyone. There are so too many to mention but thank you to everyone who’s been part of my journey. As they say, we’re not done yet. A special mention to my family who have always been there, always supporting from afar. I want to say thank you to them.”
