Former South Africa national team captain has had enough of the Banyana head coach and she wants her to be sacked.
Modise criticises coach Ellis after Nigeria loss. Banyana legend wants the coach to be fired after South Africa women’s team fail to qualify for Olympic games
WHAT HAPPENED?
Portia Modise has lashed out to criticize Banyana Banyana coach, Desiree Ellis following their goalless draw against Nigeria on Tuesday at Loftus Versfeld Stadium.
South Africa failed to qualify for the 2024 Olympic Games after a 1-0 loss on aggregate to the Super Falcons. Ellis and her troops lost the first-leg clash in Abuja on Friday, April 5th.
Speaking to Andile Ncube on Metro FM, the retired Banyana star, Modise could not hold back as she expressed her unfavourable opinion of Ellis.
WHAT MODISE SAID
“I am hurt even now after seeing the game, it’s my first time to see a poor Nigeria team like this since I started football, we needed to beat that team, they didn’t have anything to scare us,” Modise said on Sports Night Amplified.
“That Nigeria players can’t trap the ball, they can’t do even first touches. That was not a Nigeria we used to play against, not this one. When I was watching the game yesterday, we needed people with skill and players who could think, there was none of that in the game against Nigeria yesterday.
“Favouritism needs to stop in the national team and players must be selected deservedly not because of favouritism. We have good players in the Hollywoodbets Super League, we have good players out there who can perform,” she added.
“I think if you want my crucial opinion, I think our coach [Desiree Ellis] has done well and she put us on the plan, but now we require someone with a second plan and a new vision, someone who can take us somewhere.
“Listen, I do not have any beef with the coach, but I think she has done well, and we require someone. Leaving a position sometimes doesn’t mean you didn’t do well, but sometimes we need a fresh mind.”
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Banyana Banyana, the number two-ranked women’s team in Africa, will miss their second Olympics in succession after their defeat to number one-ranked Nigeria.
Modise, who is Banyana Banyana’s all-time top goalscorer with 101 goals, believes it’s time the South Africa women’s national team makes coaching changes.
Ellis guided Banyana to winning their first Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in 2022, beating Morocco 2–1 in the final.
WHAT NEXT FOR ELLIS AND BANYANA?
It is understood that Ellis’ contract is set to expire after the Olympics in August and now that the team will not be in France, it remains to be seen what the future holds for the coach.
After failing to qualify for the Olympics, Banyana will now shift their focus to preparing for the 2024 Wafcon in Morocco.
Goal.com
