Banyana Banyana’s Cape Town-based players received a heroes welcome at various venues across the city last week, following the national women’s team 2-1 victory at the Women’s African Cup of Nations final against host nation Morocco, at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, in Rabat, a fortnight ago.
The red carpet was laid out for coach Desiree Ellis and members of her squad at Athlone Stadium, the home of soccer in the Mother City.
Recalling that nail-biting nine minutes of extra time in the final, which seemed like eternity as stress levels hit the roof, Ellis said, “Than you very much for your support, we felt it there.
Introducing her players and technical staffers, whom she called “my children and family”, Ellis lightheartedly mentioned Noxolo Cesane, from Gugulethu, one half of a pair of twins whom she struggles to tell apart.
“While we were training, everything was ‘irie sister’,” Ellis said.
“When we won the gold medal it was ‘irie champions,’ she said, referring to the dreadlocked player’s favourite mantra.
“From the word go, the team decided we were going to win this. We selected a squad for every eventuality. We know some people were not happy with the way we played at times, but we trusted the process.”
Referring to Banyana’s struggles during their preparations, which included a 5-1 loss in a friendly against The Netherlands, she said: “We go back to last year where we ended fourth in the Cosafa Cup and we were slaughtered, but we knew we had to trust the process,” she said.
“So this medal is not just for us, it’s for the coaches and players that came before us. This is for those people that put in the building blocks,” she said and included in her tribute club coaches who work with players from a young age, some of whom were present at last week’s celebrations.
“So the coaches out there that do the work, that work with the players 24/7, this for them and every one that is involved with women’s football,” she said, before adding, “And this is for you, Cape Town.”
“To the little girl out there, you can be whatever you want to be. And to the parents out there, allow them to do that. When I was growing up, many people said I wanted to be a boy, but all I wanted to do was to play football and my parents were the ones that supported me,” said Ellis.
Safa Cape Town president Bennet Bailey, who shared the stage with Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis and sports MEC Anroux Marais, said there was never any question that the team would be honoured in a way befitting a championship winning side.
“It was just a question of when,” he said, as plans were rolled for a grand affair to welcome home “the boss” and her team, as soccer mentor Boebie Solomons called Ellis in a Facebook post. “And what better venue than Athlone Stadium,” Bailey said.
“This victory is not only for them, this victory is about what must still happen. It’s not about today, it’s about the future.
“You might not know, but Desiree Ellis was also the first executive member of Safa Western Province responsible for women’s football.
“She has gone the full circle from being a player, captain, administrator, coach, champion coach.”
Regarding the debate around the disparity between payment for men’s and women’s sides, Bailey said his executive have made the decision to ensure that there’s equal pay for equal work. “This year’s Coke Coke Cup will be the first time men and women will get the same prize money,” he said.
In his address, Mr Hill-Lewis commended the players for having overcome many challenges.
“Not a single one of them have had it easy, but look at what they’ve done, “ he told the crowd,
“The way that they’ve done it is through hard work and discipline.”
MEC Marais also paid tribute to Ellis and co, saying: “You are a beacon of hope for our communities, for our province, for South Africa.”
In a month dedicated to celebrating women, Ms Marais also singled out Ellis’ mother.
“Thank you for giving Desiree to us and thank you for what you’ve done under difficult circumstances,” she said.
