Ellis one of three candidates up for Banyana coaching job

JOHANNESBURG: Safa chief executive Dennis Mumble confirmed yesterday that Desiree Ellis is one of three candidates interviewed to replace the long-departed Vera Pauw as Banyana Banyana coach.

Safa had failed to pin down their preferred European-based coach after both parties did not come to an agreement during negotiations.

“The technical committee has made three recommendations,” said Mumble, speaking at the launch of this year’s Clinix Stix Morewa Challenge in Pimville, Soweto, yesterday.

“I’ve spoken to one of those candidates already and now I’m set to speak with another one this week. I’m hoping to get done with this process soon enough and hopefully we’ll make that announcement very soon.

“I can also confirm that (Desiree) Ellis was one of the three we interviewed. However, if she doesn’t get the job, she will still be part of the Banyana technical team serving as an assistant.”

As interim coach, Ellis guided Banyana to the Cosafa women’s title in Zimbabwe at the weekend.

The new Banyana coach’s mandate will include guiding the team through the Africa Women Cup of Nations qualifiers for the tournament in Ghana next year and finishing in the top three of that tournament to ensure qualification for the 2019 Fifa Women’s World Cup.

Meanwhile, Mumble hit back at both Gavin Hunt and Benni McCarthy after both PSL coaches recently openly criticised the quality of officiating in the league.

Mumble said although their grievances might be legitimate, both parties knew the proper channels to go about to have this matter handled properly.

“I cannot allow that to continue; they know ... what processes they should follow to have their views heard. There are two review sittings every week (Tuesdays and Thursdays) to deal with such issues,” Mumble said.

“And if we are informed by this committee that those referees were deficient technically in their respective roles in those specific matches, then those match officials are going to be sanctioned.”