Banyana coach challenges more sponsors to come on board

With Banyana Banyana just crowned African champions on Sunday night, coach Desiree Ellis expects more financial backers to help elevate the team in the build-up to next year™s FIFA World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

South Africa beat Morocco 2-1 in Rabat to win their first ever Women™s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) - a feat which gives Ellis and his charges leverage in attracting more sponsorships.

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The coach uses WAFCON finalists and hosts Morocco as an example to back her statement that if more money is invested in the team then the trajectory wouldn™t go unnoticed.

"We've always asked more corporate to come on board, but now we have this (WAFCON title) so now we have a little crowd behind us where they have to come on board" said Ellis.

She adds that there™s no question about ability and talent, just the financial muscle needed as seen with rival national teams who competed at the tournament this month.

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Banyana also dedicated their win to striker Thembi Kgatlana, who got injured in the final group stage match against Botswana and had to return home for an operation. Ellis lauds the team™s versatility.

"You know when I said that we have probably the most versatile squad many people didn™t believe me, when Thembi got injured yes it was a bit of a sombre mood but Jermaine (Seoposenwe) stood up and took that role over magnificently, Hildah (Magaia) came in and played her part and the resilience of the team.

"Thembi put the message in the group she says this happen to the best of us but we still have an objective and that is to qualify for the World cup and to win this, and I am so happy that Thembi was here when we qualified because we really wanted to do it for her" Ellis concluded.

By: Mazola Molefe