Desiree Ellis' absence overshadows Banyana Banyana's 1-1 stalemate against DRC in Wafcon qualifier

Banyana Banyana were without their long-time coach Desiree Ellis as they drew 1-1 with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in Kinshasa on Wednesday, 22 October. The match was the opening leg of a two-game qualifier for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon).

South Africa opened the scoring on the cusp of half-time, through DRC-based attacker Kgalebane Mohlakoana. The hosts counterpunched immediately as Ruth Kipoyi equalised in injury time of the first stanza.   

In the second half there were no goals and Banyana Banyana will have to finish the job off at home. The return leg is on Tuesday, 28 October in Johannesburg.

Away goal 

Thinasonke Mbuli, Ellis’ long-time assistant, stood in for her absent colleague in Kinshasa.

The University of the Western Cape coach was not too pleased with her team’s intensity in the second-round Wafcon qualifier. South Africa received a bye in the opening round of qualification due to their rank on the continent.

“We had two goals coming here, which was to get a result, to make sure that we don’t lose the match. It was also to get an away goal [which we did],” Mbuli said.

“But I’m a little bit disappointed with our second-half performance. We allowed them into our half and into our box. We played under a bit of pressure and a bit casually… But what’s more important is that we got a result, which is a draw and an away goal,” the coach said.

“We will go back home, recover and then we have a few days to prepare [for the second leg] and try to finish this at home.”

The winner of the match will book their ticket to next year’s Wafcon in Morocco. That tournament is doubly crucial as it also serves as a 2027 World Cup qualifier. 

Ellis’ absence 

However, Banyana Banyana’s preparation for these two-legged games has been overshadowed by uncertainty around the future of coach Ellis.

The South African Football Association (Safa) offered Ellis a four-year contract recently. But the coach has yet to accept the terms of the new deal. This after working on a month-to-month basis since the expiry of her previous contract a year ago.  

Ellis, who is a four-time African Coach of the Year, is said to be displeased with the monetary aspects of the contract. But Safa is not in a healthy financial state, and it has been the norm over the past year for the salaries of employees to be paid late.

Flat-footed Safa

As negotiations carry on, it’s unclear whether Ellis will return to the bench for the reverse fixture of the Wafcon qualifier in a few days. Safa, through their head of communications Mninawa Ntloko, has told Daily Maverick that they will not comment on the Ellis contract situation while it is still in the negotiation phase. 

Given the significance of this qualifier, one key question is why Safa waited so long to finally offer a contract to Ellis — who over the years has refused to publicly chide the association — even when it has disrespected her and her team.  

Prior to the draw against DRC, Banyana Banyana had not played for three months. Their last encounter was a 4-3 penalty defeat to Ghana in the bronze match of the most recent edition of Wafcon, in July. But Safa’s national executive committee only approved a new contract for Ellis on 14 October.

Why they waited until a week before these crunch clashes against DRC, only they know. But it’s another incident that casts doubt on Safa’s leadership.      

Key players out

In addition to missing Ellis on the bench, Banyana Banyana were also without the Mexico-based quartet of Thembi Kgatlana, Hilda Magaia, Sinoxolo Cesane and Amogelang Motau for the first leg of the DRC match. For logistical reasons, they will only join the team in Johannesburg for the second leg.

The return of Kgatlana will be a great boost for the team. On her day, the pint-sized forward is one of the best players in the world. But she has not played for her country in months.

Kgatlana pulled out of the Banyana team for their ill-fated Wafcon title defence. She cited “personal reasons” and took a complete break from the sport. She has since ended her sabbatical and is back banging goals for her club Tigres. The striker’s experience will be crucial for the second leg. DM