Desiree Ellis breaks silence: New contract sorted, reflects on absence

Desiree Ellis, the revered head coach of the South African women’s national team, Banyana Banyana, has finally confirmed that her protracted contract dispute with the South African Football Association (SAFA) is resolved, marking her official return to the touchline.

Ellis’s contractual status had been uncertain since the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), despite her serving as the national coach in various capacities since 2016. She was initially appointed on an interim basis following Vera Pauw’s departure and received a permanent contract two years later.

The recent negotiations proved complex, with the 62-year-old WAFCON-winning coach reportedly unhappy with SAFA’s initial remuneration offer. The delay in finalising the agreement led to Ellis’s notable absence during Banyana’s successful WAFCON qualifiers against the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) last month.

However, the former Banyana skipper has now put pen to paper on a new deal and is back in the saddle as the team prepares for a friendly against Morocco on December 2nd.

Desiree Ellis Speaks On Banyana Contract Issue

Speaking about the conclusion of the saga, Ellis expressed her relief and gratitude.

“Yeah, now everything is sorted,” Ellis told Game On with Thabiso on Radio 2000. “I’m very happy that it’s sorted, and I must say a big thank you to the CEO [Lydia Monyepao] for understanding, support as well. I really appreciate it.”

Ellis also offered candid insight into the difficult decision to step away during the crucial qualifiers.

“It was a tough decision to make [not to go to Congo], but sometimes we have to make those decisions,” she explained. “Sometimes you have to feel the value, you also have to stand up for what you feel is righ,t and I just needed to make sure that was right.”

She clarified that while an agreement was close, she did not want her situation to become a distraction for the players during a major game.

“We had sort of agreed but I didn’t feel it was proper to sit on the bench [for the WAFCON qualifier second leg]. I had not been in training, I had contact with coach Thina [Thinasonke Mbuli] on a regular basis, but I had not been at training, and I felt that the distraction for such a big game, it was not worth for me just wanting to sit on the bench.”

With the contract issues now firmly behind her, Ellis is focused on leading the reigning African champions into their upcoming international fixture and continuing her mission to elevate women’s football in South Africa.