Desiree Ellis reflects on Banyana’s preparations ahead of Serbia clash
Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis has reflected on the team’s preparations for the Serbia international friendly.
The national women’s team is set to play Serbia on Monday, 10 April. Ellis and her troops have their eyes set on the upcoming 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The global soccer showpiece will take place in Australia and New Zealand later this year between 20 July and 20 August.
As part of the preparations, Banyana travelled to Serbia on Thursday, 6 April, to take on the hosts in an international friendly. The game will be played at the SC FA, in Serbia, Stara Pazova.
With the focus on Serbia for now, Ellis expressed her satisfaction with the squad. She is impressed with the progress that she has seen from the players since the camp started.
The camp ran with local-based players between 27-31 March and continued on Monday, 3 April, after the Hollywoodbets weekend.
ELLIS REFLECTS ON THE CAMP
“I think it was a worthwhile and fruitful exercise bringing in the players early and working on some things that we needed to work on. I think it helped us,” Ellis told the SAFA media.
“We had a bit of a break with players going back to play [in the Hollywoodbets Super League], and when they returned, we could see players showing up.
“Nicole Michael scored a hat-trick, Thubelihle Shamase scored a bicycle kick, and Katlego Moletsane did well as a goalkeeper. We want to see this when players return to their clubs.”
The three-time CAF Women’s Coach of the Year was also happy with the attitude and work rate of the players in camp.
“The attitude, the work rate and effort were there. We worked a lot and could see, slowly but surely, the improvements. Now, we go to Serbia and meet the overseas-based players,” Ellis concluded.
Banyana have met up with the rest of the overseas-based players in Serbia. Mamelodi Sundowns defender Bambanani Mbane has also joined the rest of the team.
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