Ellis leads Banyana WAFCON defence amidst unresolved contract

Desiree Ellis, the celebrated architect behind Banyana Banyana’s 2022 WAFCON triumph, arrived in Morocco for the tournament with her contract situation still unresolved, almost 14 months after it expired.

The four-time CAF Women’s Coach of the Year, who first took the reins in 2016 and secured a permanent deal in 2018, has guided the national team to two FIFA Women’s World Cups, even reaching the Last 16 in 2023.

When questioned about Desiree Ellis’s contract on Saturday in Sandton, Johannesburg, SAFA President Danny Jordaan dismissed it as an “administration issue.” SAFA CEO Lydia Monyepao provided further detail, stating the contract is in place but awaits guidance from the “technical committee on a reappointment.”

Monyepao clarified, “The fact is – the Banyana Banyana coach’s contract ended the day we failed to qualify for the Olympics [April 9, 2024]. After that, we issued another contract to say we’re putting this contract on the table… The contract has been there ever since then, and we are waiting for the technical committee to give us direction.” She also mentioned a bonus structure tied to a WAFCON victory.

Adding to the off-field concerns, Banyana Banyana players reportedly staged a stay-in on Friday, refusing to train due to unpaid bonuses from their April and June training camps. These camps were crucial for Ellis’s WAFCON preparations.

While head of delegation Thabile Msomi informed the team that the matter was escalated to Jordaan, the players have demanded direct communication from the SAFA president. SAFA vice-president Linda Zwane downplayed the reports, calling it a “minor issue” that was “dealt with swiftly.”

Despite the turmoil, the reigning African champions landed in Morocco on Wednesday, finalising their preparations in Casablanca before moving to their base camp in Oujda.

Banyana Banyana will kick off their WAFCON title defence against Ghana on Monday, 7 July, followed by matches against Tanzania on Friday, 11 July, and Mali on Monday, 14 July, with all group stage games hosted at Honneur Stadium in Oujda.