Banyana Banyana assistant coach Thinasonke Mbuli says head coach Dr Desiree Ellis is still very much part of the team despite her absence from the 2026 WAFCON qualifiers.
Mbuli’s comments come as Banyana intensify preparations for the 2nd leg of the qualifying tie against DR Congo scheduled for FNB Stadium next Tuesday. South Africa was held 1-1 in the first leg in Kinshasa last week with Mbuli at the helm as Ellis didn’t travel owing to reported on-going contract negotiations with SAFA.
The UWC head coach revealed to the media in Johannesburg on Friday that Ellis has been in contact with the team and even before their departure to Congo adding that they have also even been discussing training sessions as well.
“To be honest obviously the coach is the leader of the team, but she came to see us before we went to the airport on Sunday [last week],” said Mbuli.
“So, she has been in contact with us. I just got a text from her now this morning just to say she’s still with us and we discuss training, we discuss everything. She’s still very much part of this group. Even those who were not with us on Sunday the players from overseas she gave them a call.
“So, she’s still very much an important part of this team and for us it’s to play and to win, maybe also coach coming in now taking the team to WAFCON.”
Meanwhile, Mbuli knows the magnitude of Tuesday’s encounter where her side will need to win or get goalless draw or a 2-2 draw to book their place at next year’s event which also serves as FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifier.
“If we are ambitious about going to 2027 Brazil World Cup, we must win this one then next year we can go to Morocco playing to qualify for the World Cup,” added the coach.
“So, it’s not just 90 minutes to go to WAFCON. It’s a very important match, because if you want to go to World Cup, we must win this one. Then we can start talking about the World Cup.”
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