SAFA’s big call: NEC decides on future of Ellis and Ntseki

The prolonged contractual saga surrounding beloved Banyana Banyana head coach Desiree Ellis has finally reached a celebratory conclusion.

Following a crucial National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on Tuesday, the South African Football Association (SAFA) has officially announced a new four-year deal for the history-making coach, ending months of speculation and public anxiety over her future.

The announcement, released in a statement late Wednesday, confirms that the NEC accepted the recommendation of the SAFA Technical Committee to retain Ellis, whose track record speaks for itself. Since taking the permanent reins in 2018, Ellis has cemented her status as one of the continent’s premier tacticians, guiding the Senior Women’s National Team to a maiden Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title in 2022 and, most recently, a groundbreaking run to the Round of 16 at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

The reappointment is a massive sigh of relief for fans and players alike, who watched with concern as the coach continued her duties, reportedly without a formal contract since mid-2022, despite achieving unprecedented success. The new four-year mandate now grants Ellis the stability to build further on the momentum ahead of the WAFCON 2026 qualifiers, which kick off with a challenging encounter against DR Congo next week.

Ntseki Steps into Technical Director Role at SAFA

In a related but equally significant move for the future structure of South African football, the NEC also endorsed the appointment of former Kaizer Chiefs coach Molefi Ntseki as SAFA’s new Technical Director.

Ntseki, a well-known figure in the local football landscape, was recommended to succeed Walter Steenbok and will also serve on a four-year contract. His immediate priorities will be overseeing the long-term strategic development across all national teams and SAFA programmes.

The NEC statement highlighted that Ntseki has already engaged with FIFA, noting that the global governing body has committed to supporting his upcoming programs – a strong vote of confidence in the new structure. The statement also proudly referenced the recent successes of the youth teams, with both the SA Under-17 and U-20 sides qualifying for their respective FIFA World Cup tournaments this year, signalling a robust foundation for Ntseki to build upon.

The dual appointments of Ellis and Ntseki on long-term contracts suggest a concerted effort by SAFA to prioritise stability and reward success, offering a hopeful sign for the consistent growth and professionalisation of the sport in South Africa.