Desiree Ellis on standing by her selections including Kaylin Swart

Ellis was responding to the media, shortly after her arrival from Sydney, Australia, where she led the team to a historic knockout phase qualification before they were eliminated by the Netherlands in the second round. 

Fake news were peddled on social media platforms on how Ellis picked Swart over Sundowns goalkeeper Andile Dlamini. Ellis says as the technical team they take collective decisions.

"As a technical team, we discuss when we play players but I make the final decision. It's not about vindication because there are other players that you select. You stand by the players that you select and then it's up to the players to perform," Ellis said.

"I think Lebo [Lebogang Ramalepe] was one of them. We stood by her because even though she made a mistake here and there, she was one of our most influential players on the pitch. When we make the decision, whoever it is we stand by that decision, we support that decision, along with the technical team as well."

Swart started all Banyana Banyana matches over Dlamini, who has also not been a regular at her club Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies, having last played in the Hollywoodbets Super League earlier this year. Ellis says they rally behind all the players when they make mistakes.

"I think we rally behind each and every one. When we get into the dressing room, it's high fives and encouragement because players make a bad pass and sometimes that plays on their minds. Players miss a tackle and that plays on their minds.

So, the players on the team if you notice they encourage each other on the pitch and I think it's so important because we call ourselves a team. We need to be a team on and off the field."