Ellis hails Majiya’s growth and ‘true professional’ Mbane after Algeria win

Banyana Banyana head coach Desiree Ellis has lauded the clinical performance of Nthabiseng Majiya following the side’s 1-0 victory over Algeria on Tuesday, while also paying a special tribute to the legendary Bambanani Mbane.

The international friendly, held at the Princess Magogo Stadium in KwaMashu, served as a crucial warm-up for the upcoming WAFCON in Morocco this July.

THE EVOLUTION OF NTHABISENG MAJIYA

In the absence of talismanic forward Thembi Kgatlana, 21-year-old Majiya stepped up to lead the line with aplomb. The Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies attacker settled the contest in the 36th minute, curling a sublime effort from the edge of the area past Algerian shot-stopper Chloe N’Gazi.

Despite having been part of the 2022 WAFCON winning squad, Ellis admitted that Majiya’s development had plateaued before a recent resurgence.

“Majiya—we took her to WAFCON in 2022,” Ellis told journalists after the match. “She scored a goal, but from then on, I don’t think she developed as we would have liked. However, over the last year and a half, I must give credit to Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies coach Godfrey Sapula.”

“He has done a lot of work with her. We’ve also been in constant communication and have worked closely with her. She has improved, and it’s still a work in progress. We sometimes forget she is only 21,” she added.

MBANE JOINS THE ELITE 100 CLUB

Take a bow @BambananiMbane on 100 caps for @Banyana_Banyana – made her debut in 2016 against Botswana in the second leg of CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier#BanyanaBanyana#LiveTheImpossible#BackedByBlue#adidas@SasolinSport @adidas@StandardBankZA pic.twitter.com/EyZvE0KBI3

— Sasol Banyana Banyana (@Banyana_Banyana) April 14, 2026

The afternoon was doubly special for veteran defender Bambanani Mbane, who earned her 100th cap for the national team. In a show of immense respect, Mbane was handed the captain’s armband for the milestone match, despite regular skipper Refiloe Jane being in the starting XI.

Mbane becomes only the 12th player in Banyana history to reach the century mark, an achievement Ellis believes was long overdue.

“I think Bamba could have reached this milestone earlier,” said Ellis. “She had a couple of injuries, but has come back stronger. She is a true professional—someone you can rely on and a mentor to younger players.”

“It is well deserved. She has once again shown that she is a top, top player.”

WHAT’S NEXT FOR BANYANA?

The African champions will look to make it two wins from two when they face the North Africans again in the second friendly match.

The encounter is scheduled for Friday at the King Zwelithini Stadium in Umlazi, as Ellis continues to fine-tune her squad for their title defence in Morocco.