Is Ellis right coach for Banyana?
DESPITE Banyana Banyana currently topping the CAF rankings, former striker Portia Modise says interim coach Desiree Ellis is not yet ready to coach the national team on a permanent basis.
Ellis took over the reins as caretaker coach after the departure of Netherlands-born mentor Vera Pauw from the helm, early last year. The 54 year-old has since done well in her tenure so far, she led the team to the COSAFA Cup in Bulawayo. A record-breaking period for Ellis, as she became the first South African, male or female, to win the tournament as a player and coach.
However, Modise remains adamant that there are a few things Ellis still needs to learn before she can take over, permanently.
“She’s doing well in these smaller competitions,’’Modise said. I say that because I also played in the competition (COSAFA) that Desiree took and those are the smaller things, and we (in our time with Banyana), took it in the morning of the day.
“There are proper tournaments like the AFCON, World Cup and Olympics that need qualifiers. I think those are the difficult part of being a coach because you need to do it by all means.’’
“I still believe, it’s probably okay for her to be an assistant coach for now, they need to find another coach that she could still learn from.’’
However, it is quite clear that the current Banyana squad enjoys playing under Ellis as striker Thembi Kgatlana was nominated in the Women’s African Player of the Year category, late last year.
Deputy captain Refiloe Jane has also called out to SAFA to give Ellis the job on permanent basis amid her recent achievements. SAFA have since prolonged the decision to hire a permanent coach; and the associations’ president Danny Jordaan has suggested that the decision on a new coach is imminent. “The decision I’m sure, will be taken within the next few days. I have already asked Natasha Chiklas-the head of technical-and CEO Dennis Mumble to finalise this matter.’’