Ellis Says Three-Nation Series Will Be Key Test Ahead of WAFCON Title Defence

Banyana Banyana head coach Desiree Ellis believes the upcoming Three-Nation series featuring South Africa, Botswana, and Zambia will be a crucial step in evaluating her squad’s progress ahead of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title defence.

Speaking to SABC Sport, Ellis said the series, which includes fellow WAFCON-bound teams Botswana and Zambia, offers the ideal opportunity to gauge where her players stand in terms of performance and readiness.

“Look, it’s also two teams that are also going to WAFCON and they’re using this for preparation as well,” said Ellis. “They bring a different dynamic. We’ve played Botswana and Zambia often. Botswana will bring their physicality and quick transitions. Zambia, under a new coach, have grown and continue to be very dangerous on the counter.”

Ellis emphasized that the matches would test Banyana Banyana in different ways, not just tactically, but also physically and mentally as the team continues fine-tuning ahead of the continental showpiece.

The coach also revealed the return of several key players who have been out with injuries, including Wayde, Forani, and Karabo, marking their first call-ups since last year.

“We’ve brought back players who have recovered from injury, some returning for the first time in a year,” she noted. “But we’ve also included others who’ve impressed in the domestic league. This camp is about making sure we leave no stone unturned in selecting the best possible squad.”

Ellis and her technical team will use the matches to evaluate combinations and sharpen the team’s structure, with the ultimate goal of successfully defending the WAFCON title.