Banyana can emulate Morocco at Women's World Cup - Ellis

The Atlas Lions became the first African nation to reach the semi-finals of the men's tournament in Qatar and eventually ended fourth, behind winners Argentina, France, and Croatia.

Ellis believes the reigning African women's champions have every reason to believe they too can make history in Australia and New Zealand by eclipsing Nigeria's quarter-final run from 1999 as the best African nation at a Women's World Cup.

"I don't think they were touted to come out of the group, they had [world] number two in the group, Belgium, and they came out, and people kept saying the next game, and the next game they went. And they thought against France they were unlucky. We've got to go with the simimalr mentality, because our players have gotten better since WAFCON. Our players have matured, the newier ones and the other ones coming in are also better. 

"So, we've got to realise that we might be ranked 54 [in the world], but we're one of 32 countries in the world that's going to this World Cup, and if it's 11 v 11 and you execute your plan then you can get the results that you want. And I think WAFCON has made them [players] also realise that it's possible. So, we've got to stay with that belief, we've got to stay with the attitude, we've got to stay with that mentality that we can compete, cos we can," she said.

The three-time CAF Women's Coach of the Year and recent recipient of the Order of Ikhamanga in Gold holds former state president Nelson Mandela's words close to her heart for inspiration to achieve more than last year's Women's Africa Cup of Nations triumph.

"Sport being able to to united a country, and to change things. I think they [players] did that, but they can go one better. They've shown that through all the challenges, they have the resilience, the character and it's gonna take all that effort to do well at the World Cup."

Banyana have assembled for a lengthy pre-World Cup camp in Johannesburg for the World Cup from 20 July to 20 August. And Ellis could not hide her excitement for what will be her second successive global showpiece.