Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis reveals succession plan beyond the Olympic Games starring Thembi Kgatlana. Image Source: (@RFI/Twitter)
Banyana’s Ellis reveals succession plan beyond Olympics
After beating DR Congo in an Olympics Qualifier, Banayna Banyana coach Desiree Ellis reveals a succession plan.
Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis reveals succession plan beyond the Olympic Games starring Thembi Kgatlana. Image Source: (@RFI/Twitter)
Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis reveals a succession plan beyond the upcoming Olympics tournament and sets her sights on the next FIFA World Cup.
Ellis guided Banyana to a comfortable 2-0 win over DR Congo on Monday at Orlando Stadium where Thembi Kgatlana netted two goals.
ALSO READ I Ambitious Chiefs coach addresses league title chances
As they have set their foot in the next round of the Olympic qualifiers, Banyana will now face either Tanzania or Botswana.
The seasoned Banyana coach says she is planning beyond the Olympics as some of her players will not be part of the team.
BANYANA’S ELLIS REVEALS SUCCESSION PLAN BEYOND OLYMPICS
ALSO READ I Pitso Mosimane linked with African giants
In the clash against DR Congo, Banyana’s Nicole Michaels assisted Kgatlana in all three goals she scored against DRC over the two legs.
“Today [on Monday] I think they [the youngsters] matured and that gives us a big headache going forward because I also have a list of players I am looking at, not just locally but abroad as well,” Ellis said per Sowetan.
“We are not only looking at the Olympics but we are also looking at the 2027 World Cup. Whether I am here or I am not here, we are looking at all those things. We have to make sure that some of these youngsters get more game time before the Olympics.”
ALSO READ: Johnson reveals what Kaizer Chiefs bosses want
ALSO READ: Former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder buys Quantums
COACH ON HER SUCCESSION PLAN BEYOND OLYMPICS
In addition, Ellis adds that she had a young team on the field of play in Soweto which consisted of a new backline.
Mzansi will now face either Tanzania or Botswana in the third round of the qualifiers for the Olympic games that will be staged in France’s Paris from July to August next year.
“Today [on Monday] we had a very young squad on the field. The backline was made of players who are all under 22 [in Karabo Dhlamini, Lonathemba Mhlongo, Wendy Shongwe and Fikile Magama],” adds Ellis.
ALSO READ I Banyana a step closer to qualifying for 2024 Olympics
“Nicole and Noxolo Cesane are also very young, so we are slowly but surely blooding in the youngsters.
“Nthabiseng Majiya is 19 unfortunately she’s busy with her matric exams…the Shamase twins [Thubelihle and Siphumelele], 22, Sinoxolo [Noxolo’s twin sister], 22. Bongeka [Gamede] is still very young as well…there’s Sibulele [Holweni], who’s still very young as well.”
