Desiree Ellis: A South African legend of women’s football
Nearly 30 years after playing in South Africa's first women's international match, she led the national team, Banyana Banyana, to victory in the 2022 Women's Africa Cup of Nations.
World football has seen many legends over the years. From Brazil’s Pele to Argentina’s Diego Maradona to France’s Zinedine Zidane.
Do you see a pattern here? All of the names are males! This has been the case for the longest time. But of course, there are a few exceptions. We’re talking about one of them.
Desiree Ellis, a former player, has become a significant figure in South African women’s football. Nearly 30 years after playing in South Africa’s first women’s international match, she led the national team, Banyana Banyana, to victory in the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
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This win marked South Africa’s first title, ending years of disappointment from losing four finals in 2000, 2008, 2012, and 2018.
Ellis’s journey in football is marked by overcoming challenges, including apartheid-era laws and economic hardship.
Believe it or not, she became the first woman of colour and former national team player to coach Banyana Banyana! Under her guidance, the team qualified for their first World Cup in 2019. Ellis now aims to lead South Africa beyond the group stage in the next Women’s World Cup.
Raised in Salt River, Cape Town, Ellis was passionate about football from a young age. She played with and against women of different ethnic backgrounds. In case you’re not aware, it’s outright defying apartheid laws.
Fran Hilton-Smith, who later coached Ellis on the national team, noticed her talent early on. Through his coaching and motivation, Ellis played in South Africa’s first-ever women’s national team match in 1993. She also ended up scoring a hat trick.
Ellis had a successful playing career, including nearly a decade with Banyana Banyana, where she served as captain and played in two WAFCON finals. However, she sacrificed much for her football career, even losing her job due to her commitment to the sport.
After retiring from the South African team, Ellis transitioned into coaching. She started with her former club team, Spurs Ladies.
Over the years, she made herself capable enough to become the national team’s assistant coach and then the head coach.
Under her leadership, Banyana Banyana has developed a style of possession football and achieved significant success. If we have to look for instances, take beating Nigeria in the 2018 Africa Cup of Nations or qualifying for their first Women’s World Cup!
The 2019 World Cup experience was transformative for South African women’s football, leading to the emergence of new stars and the launch of the country’s first women’s national league. While not fully professional yet, the league is considered one of Africa’s best.
For her contributions to South African football, Ellis has received several accolades. Among many of her achievements, being voted CAF coach of the year three times and receiving the Order of Ikhamanga from President Cyril Ramaphosa would be notable. In her hometown, a mural commemorates her legacy as well!
Looking ahead, Ellis is focused on the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. She aims to advance South Africa in the tournament further than ever before.
As part of her core philosophy, she believes that success in the World Cup could enhance South Africa’s reputation in women’s football and support its bid to host the tournament in 2027. Although SA has withdrawn its bid, it doesn’t mean you can’t acknowledge Ellis’s efforts.
Ellis also hopes for the professionalisation of the women’s league in South Africa, recognising the potential for further growth and success in the sport.
