Former South Africa international Desiree Ellis is excited after her appointment as the new head coach of Banyana Banyana.

 Ellis who has been the interim boss of the senior women's national side since 2016 following the departure of Vera Pauw, was given the job on a permanent basis yesterday.

During her spell as caretaker of the team, Ellis who hails from Salt River in Cape Town, guided South Africa to fourth-place at the 2016 Africa Women's Cup of Nations.

The 54-year-old, against all odds, steered Banyana Banyana to winning the 2017 COSAFA Women's Championship, beating hosts Zimbabwe 2-1 in the final.

With the tournament triumph, she became the first individual to win the COSAFA title both as a player and coach, having played for her country 32 times as a midfielder between 1993 and 2002.

And now, the South Africa Football Association have handed the job, with the mandate of qualifying the Banyana for this year's Africa Women's Cup of Nations, the FIFA Women's World Cup in 2019 and the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.

"It still sounds unreal I honestly can't believe it is really happening. It has always been a dream of mine to be the head coach of Banyana Banyana. Nothing comes bigger than this. Being in the acting role since 2016 has probably prepared me for the most daunting task of them all in women's football. I have always believed, and now it is a reality," said Ellis on SAFA.net

 "I will be failing in my duties if I did not thank the South African Football Association (SAFA) for entrusting me with this job, even in the acting capacity. This appointment can only mean we are doing something right in women's football, and I hope it becomes a symbol to many girls and women out there that if you dream it, you can live it. I will do the best of my ability to make sure we continue on growing this beautiful game."

Her first duty as manager will be the Cyprus Women's Cup, a tournament the South Africans have been pooled with Slovakia, Korea DPR and Hungary in Group C.

Ellis has been in charge of Banyana Banyana in 15 matches; won eight, lost five and drew two, with her side scoring 27 goals and conceding 15 in the 12 away and three home encounters.


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