Banyana coach Desiree Ellis finally gets her long-awaited contract

Deputy Minister was concerned about the coach's situation

- By Kgomotso Mokoena

(Gallo Images)

The South African Football Association (Safa) has succumbed to public outcry and pressure from Deputy Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Peace Mabe and renewed Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis's contract.

Sunday World has it on good authority that Ellis has finally put pen to paper after protracted negotiations between her and Safa. She had been operating without a formal contract, working on a month-to-month basis after her last contract expired after the Women's Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) in July 2022.

According to high-placed sources in the football governing body, the Wafcon-winning coach finally signed on the dotted line on Wednesday.

The two parties had reached a deadlock, which resulted in Ellis sitting out the two home and away 2026 Wafcon qualifying matches against DR Congo last month. Banyana assistant coach Thinasonke Mbuli was in charge of the team that secured a spot in next year's Wafcon.