Modise casts doubts over Ellis

Desiree still has plenty to learn and might not be the right coach for Banyana, says Portia

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 reigns as a 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 title in Bulawayo.

This makes Ellis the first South African, male or female, to win the tournament as a player and as a 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 won 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 we need to qualify for.

“I think those (tournaments) are the difficult part of being a coach in the national team because you need to get to these tournaments.’’

Modise continued: “I still believe it’s probably Okay for her to be an assistant coach for now, they need to find another coach she could still learn from.

“I was under Desiree, so I still feel she needs more experience.’’

However, it is quite clear 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.

Vice-captain Refiloe Jane has also called on to Safa to give Ellis the job on a permanent basis due to her recent achievements.

Safa have delayed the decision to hire a permanent coach and the associations’ president Danny Jordaan has once again suggested that the decision on a new coach is imminent.

“The decision (on Banyana’s permanent coach), I’m sure, will be taken in the next few days.

“I’ve already asked Natasha Tsichlas – the head of technical – and CEO Dennis Mumble to finalise this matter,’’ said Jordan, speaking at the national under 17 women’s team’s send-off for their World Cup qualifier.