Ellis Finally Signs New Four-Year Deal as Banyana Banyana Coach

South African Football Association (SAFA) President Danny Jordaan has confirmed that Banyana Banyana head coach Desiree Ellis has officially signed a new four-year contract, ending months of uncertainty surrounding her future.

Jordaan made the announcement during the Amajimbos’ send-off ceremony for the FIFA Under-17 World Cup held at OR Tambo International Airport — an event also attended by Ellis.

Banyana Banyana recently secured qualification for next year’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) without Ellis on the touchline, as her contract negotiations had been delayed.

With the deal now finalized, Jordaan says Ellis can fully focus on building and strengthening the reigning African champions ahead of Morocco 2026.

“She has signed her contract, she is happy, and I’m happy that everything is settled. You can see after she delivered her words of encouragement to the under-17s that she is back,” Jordaan told SABC.

Ellis, a three-time CAF Women’s Coach of the Year, will now lead South Africa’s preparations for the 2026 WAFCON and the next FIFA Women’s World Cup cycle.