Desiree Ellis’ journey from a young girl playing football in the streets of Salt River, Cape Town, to becoming the celebrated head coach of South Africa’s national women’s football team, Banyana Banyana, is a testament to resilience, passion, and unwavering dedication.
Desiree Ellis at CAF Awards 2023 (Pic – Supplied)
Early Life and Playing Career
Growing up during the apartheid era, Ellis faced significant challenges pursuing her love for football. Undeterred by societal norms and restrictive laws, she often played with boys, honing her skills and showcasing exceptional talent from a young age.
Her determination led her to become one of the first women of colour to play in women’s tournaments, defying apartheid-era laws that prohibited such integration.
In 1993, at the age of 30, Ellis made her debut for Banyana in South Africa’s first-ever women’s international match against Eswatini, scoring a hat-trick in a 14-0 victory.
She went on to captain the national team, leading them to two Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) finals, though both ended in narrow defeats to Nigeria.
Transition to Coaching
After retiring as a player, Ellis seamlessly transitioned into coaching, taking charge of her former club team, Spurs Ladies, while acquiring her coaching badges. Her dedication and understanding of the game earned her the role of assistant coach for Banyana in 2014.
In 2016, she was appointed interim head coach, a position she later assumed permanently. Ellis became the first woman of colour and the first former national team player to lead Banyana, marking a significant milestone in South African football.
Under Ellis’s leadership, Banyana Banyana have achieved great success (Pic – Supplied)
Coaching Achievements
Under Ellis’s leadership, Banyana achieved remarkable success. Ellis guided the team to the 2018 WAFCON final, where they narrowly lost to Nigeria on penalties.
Despite the defeat, this performance secured South Africa’s first-ever qualification for the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2019.
The pinnacle of Ellis’s coaching career came in 2022 when she led Banyana to their first WAFCON title, defeating hosts Morocco 2-1 in the final.
This historic win ended decades of near misses and established South Africa as a dominant force in African women’s football.
In 2023, Ellis’s strategic acumen was further evident as she guided Banyana to their first-ever victory at a FIFA Women’s World Cup, defeating Italy 3-2 in New Zealand.
This triumph propelled the team into the knockout stages, marking a significant milestone for South African football on the global stage.
Accolades and Recognition
Ellis’s contributions have been widely recognised on the continent. She has been honored with the CAF Women’s Coach of the Year award four times (2018, 2019, 2022, 2023), reflecting her exceptional coaching prowess and the success of her team under her guidance.
In April 2024, Ellis was conferred with an Honorary Doctorate by the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, acknowledging her significant contributions to sport and her role in advancing women’s football.
Giving Opportunities and Building Depth
Desiree has also integrated emerging talents into the national team over the years, providing them with opportunities on the world stage.
Players like Noxolo Cesane, Hildah Magaia, and Robyn Moodaly made their World Cup debuts under Ellis’s guidance, contributing to the team’s depth and future prospects.
As Banyana begins to prepare beyond the generation of Reflow Jane, Janine van Wyk and Noko Matlou, many prospects have stepped up in recent years.
Fikile Magama is one player to look out for. As a young defender, Magama has shown great promise since her debut in 2022.
She represented South Africa in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, contributing to the team’s historic progression to the Round of 16.
Although on standby at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, Amogelang Motau has grown in leaps and bounds playing a central role for the University of Western Cape Ladies.
They finished runners-up behind Sundowns for a third consecutive season, an exploit that earned her Hollywoodbets Super League Player of the Season, and a recent move to Club Tijuana in the Liga MX Femenil.
Sibulele Holweni captained the U17 national team at the FIFA U17 Womens World Cup in Uruguay in 2018, and has risen through the ranks to become Desiree Ellis’ key and trusted player in defence.
Ellis has been instrumental in providing global opportunities for emerging talents (Pic – Supplied)
A Journey of a Pioneer
Beyond tactical preparations, Ellis is a staunch advocate for the development of women’s football infrastructure in South Africa.
She envisions the establishment of a fully professional women’s league, recognising that competing against fully professional teams globally requires similar structures domestically.
Her leadership continues to inspire not only her players but also aspiring female footballers and coaches across the continent. ‘
Ellis’s journey is a beacon of inspiration, illustrating how passion, perseverance, and visionary leadership can overcome adversity and pave the way for transformative change in sport.
With the 2024 WAFCON set to be held in Morocco from 5-26 July 2025, coach Desiree was asked what else she still wants to accomplish in her illustrious career, coach Desiree simply said: “We need to defend our title this year.”
The Next Chapter
As Banyana prepares to defend their WAFCON title in 2025, Ellis remains focused on building upon the team’s recent successes.
Her approach emphasizes continuous improvement, addressing areas such as maintaining concentration throughout matches and capitalizing on scoring opportunities.
Ellis believes that with hard work and dedication, the team can achieve even greater heights.
