Desiree Ellis happy with depth in Banyana squad ahead of Wafcon

The winds of change are blowing through the Banyana Banyana set-up, and coach Desiree Ellis is convinced that this will benefit the team going forward.

Banyana are fresh from two international friendlies against COSAFA neighbours Malawi, winning both matches 3–0 and 2–1, respectively. These games primarily served as preparation for their defence of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) crown in July.

Ellis experienced a rollercoaster of emotions in response to the results, feeling the team could have won by larger margins and managed the tempo better. Nonetheless, she was able to introduce relatively new faces into the squad, blending them with senior players.

Casey Gordon earned her maiden cap, while Shakira O’Malley and Kgaelebane Mohlakoana returned to the fold following their debuts and respective prolonged absences. Ellis also welcomed back regulars Thembi Kgatlana, Jermaine Seoposenwe and Hildah Magaia, who had missed the two friendlies against Lesotho.

It was important for Ellis to have a strong mix of youth and experience, as the two matches also marked the final appearances for veterans Noko Matlou, 39, and Nompumelelo Nyandeni, 37. Matlou made her 174th and final appearance for Banyana on Saturday, while Nyandeni donned the national jersey for the 150th and final time on Tuesday in Atteridgeville.

“I think we have a little bit more depth now, and that is really important. We can’t just have a starting XI going onto the pitch without depth,” said Ellis via Sasol. “(Nonhlanhla) Mthandi had a good game, and that really helped us add to our depth because I think this WAFCON will require a lot of versatility and depth.

“You saw the changes that came off the bench in both games had a huge impact. And that’s what it means to have a good bench. In the previous WAFCON, we used that really, really well. But we are going to need even more versatility this time around, especially if the squad size is limited to 23.”

One player who proved effective off the bench during the last WAFCON in Morocco was Amogelang Motau, who has since grown in leaps and bounds. The Hollywoodbets Super League Player of the Season scored a thunderbolt free-kick in Atteridgeville to secure a crucial win for Banyana.

Motau sprinted halfway across the pitch, seemingly fuelled by sponsors Sasol, before saluting the bench and emotionally embracing conditioning coach Riddha Allie. Reflecting on the set-piece, Motau said she was pleased to see the hard work she has put in at training paying off.

“My teammates would say it’s not an accident. I’ve been practising these at training,” said Motau, who also walked away with the Player of the Match award.

“They’ve now become something I have at the back of my pocket as a player – credit to the technical team who have been helping us prepare well. I think our performance in this game showed that we had trained properly going into the match.”

Banyana’s transitional period will require senior players to guide the newcomers, and Motau — who plays for Liga MX Femenil side Club Tijuana in Mexico — is ready for the task ahead.

“Again, I think the team is going through a transitional phase and things are coming together,” said Motau.

“There are new faces in the squad, but we have the guidance of the experienced players — myself now included. So, I hope I can make a positive contribution towards helping the team be ready for WAFCON.”