Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis urged to stand behind the players Image Source: (@DesireeEliis/Twitter)
Modise warns Banyana coach not to conspire against the players
Outspoken Banyana legend Portia Modise has sent a strong message to coach Desiree Ellis not to conspire against the players.
Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis urged to stand behind the players Image Source: (@DesireeEliis/Twitter)
Banyana Banyana legend Portia Modise has singled out coach Desiree Ellis, urging her not to conspire against his players as the camp is hit with controversy.
Modise’s sentiments come as the CAF African Women’s Cup of Nations winning players are locked in talks with SAFA for bonus and payment-related matters and the legend calls on Ellis to support them.
ALSO READ I SAFA CEO Monyepao: “I understand Banyana’s position”
Ahead of their trip to the FIFA Women’s World Cup set to be hosted in Australia and New Zealand, Modise says came to the defence of Banyana players who demand better pay from SAFA.
MODISE WARNS ELLIS NOT TO CONSPIRE AGAINST BANYANA PLAYERS
The outspoken Soweto-born legend, Modise said the players have fought hard to win trophies for Ellis and she must protect and understand their demands in return.
Mentored by Ellis, Banyana are expected to jet out of the country on Wednesday ahead of the eagerly anticipated global showpiece later this month.
ALSO READ I Chiefs and Bafana legend blasts SAFA, Banyana for ugly standoff
“It’s not even about the generation that plays today, it’s about the generations to come and they need to be in better conditions,” Modise said in a viral on Twitter.
“So, I am saying to the current players, it’s all about teamwork. We have a CEO that is a woman [Lydia Monyepao], as well as the coach, so they must stand tall because it’s about time to stand tall and not hide, tell the truth so that the country can help.
“I never had a problem with Desiree but it’s time to stand up, don’t betray your players. Show your loyalty because they also showed you theirs and gave you trophies, it’s about time that you stand up.”
ALSO READ I Banyana Banyana branded ‘mercenaries’ and ‘traitors’ amid boycott
The African Queens will face Costa Rica in a friendly match on July 15, before getting their Group G World Cup campaign underway against Sweden on July 23.
BANYANA PLAYERS BOYCOTT FRIENDLY VERSUS BOTSWANA
As also reported by The South African, the South African women’s senior national players refused to play their World Cup send-off encounter against Botswana at the Tsakane Stadium on Sunday.
ALSO READ I Zizi Kodwa tells Banyana Banyana to “focus” amid gender pay gap concerns
Resulting from their stance, SAFA decided to swiftly assemble a team of players in the eleventh hour which consisted of fringe players but they were hammered 5-0.
The player’s protest follows an announcement by FIFA that players in the World Cup would receive $30 000 (R565 000) for participating in the group stages and the amount is set to go up as teams progress to the knockout stages.
“We handled the situation to the best of our ability. I have to understand where they’re coming from, and I also have to understand where the association is,” SAFA CEO Lydia Manyepao told the media on Monday.
ALSO READ I Mendieta: What Sundowns fans said about his arrival
“I’m wearing two caps. I’ve been fortunate in being the Banyana team manager before and having seen the kind of negotiations that are required in order to reach an agreement. (emisorasunidas.com) ”
As things stand, there has been no word from SAFA on whether they have met the demands of coach Ellis’ team.
