Banyana Banyana coach says it will take a superhuman effort to defend WAFCON

Speaking exclusively to SABC Sport, the four-time CAF Women Coach of the Year says although they have played a few preparations matches, the reigning African Champions have made some progress but there is still some work to be done.

Ellis is also hoping that the players will step up as expected.

"The year of the WAFCON, it's gonna be extremely difficult to defend the title but possible. While preparing for the previous WAFCON, we selected the squad for every eventuality. We had Covid in camp, we had the big injury to Thembi but yet people stepped up,” Ellis said.

“It's gonna take something similar, a superhuman effort where everybody plays their part. We are a team that always creates chances but we have to become more clinical in front of goal and very tight at the back to make sure that we are the team that comes out on top in every game.

“But it's gonna take a huge, huge effort from everyone in terms of getting everything right and making sure that we select the right personnel because that's going to be key. We have to be at the absolute best but also in a very superb condition because it's gonna take a superhuman effort to win the WAFCON, with everyone stepping up around us and we have to make sure that we're the team that comes out on top."

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The WAFCON tournament will be held in July in Morocco and Ellis says 2024 was a challenging year, that included failure to qualify for the Olympics but there were lessons learnt in the process.

"Starting with the Olympic Qualifiers and unfortunately we didn't get over that huddle, having gone five months without playing really set us back a bit. Playing these high-profile games has really taught us a few things to stay concentrated for the full 90 minutes to make sure that we do not concede early,” the coach added.

“I think conceding in the first 20 minutes really put us back and that's going to be key going forward to stay concentrated defensively but also take the chances that we create."