In celebration of Banyana Banyana head coach Desiree Ellis' birthday, we look at why she's one of the most inspiring figures in South African sport.
Check it out!
What's the story?
Banyana Banyana's award-winning head coach Desiree Ellis is celebrating her 61st birthday today, prompting us to look at her achievements.
Ellis is a trailblazer in many respects, uplifting South African Women's football to new highs and stacking some unreal accolades along the way.
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Let's take a closer look at what makes Ellis and inspiring South African sporting figure.
Coach Ellis the trailblazer
In a space of three decades, Desiree Ellis played in Banyana Banyana's first-ever women’s international football match, and coached her nation to their first continental crown when they beat hosts Morocco in the final of the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
Ellis defied many hardships on her way to an illustrious playing career, representing her country over 30 times and becoming one of the most successful coaches in South African football.
She not only became the first woman of colour to take charge of Banyana Banyana, but also the first former national team player to take over as coach on a permanent basis when she was offered the role in 2016.
Along with leading her troops to WAFCON glory, she also led them to qualify for the World Cup for the first time in 2019.
In 2023 edition of the global showpiece in Australia and New Zealand, her ladies became the first South African senior football team to qualify for the knockout stages of the World Cup.
With 32 Caps to her name, @descaptain only lost 7 times...no wonder she has instilled a winning culture in #BanyanaBanyana, their achievements speak volumes...and that's FACTS.#LiveTheImpossible pic.twitter.com/sWGIDFGciS
— Official SasolLeague (@SasolLeague) August 24, 2023
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Her personal accolades include four CAF Women's Coach of the Year awards and in 2023, she was honoured by President Cyril Ramaphosa with the Order of Ikhamanga in gold for her contribution to sport.
President @CyrilRamaphosa bestows the Order of Ikhamanga in Gold on Banyana Banyana Coach, Desiree Ellis for her excellent contribution to football, a male-dominated sport. #NationalOrders pic.twitter.com/l3HkR9W61x
— Minister of Sport, Arts & Culture (@zizikodwa) April 28, 2023
Ellis was also given a Sports Minister's excellence award in 2017, scooped the Momentum Coach of the Year last year and also released her autobiography, "Magic" written by esteemed sports journalist, Luke Alfred.
As recently as last week, Ellis was honoured as the 2024 Forbes Woman Africa Sports Award Winner! Take a look:
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