Ellis issue Banyana World Cup update as they settle in New Zealand
Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis has issued an update on the national team after the entire squad arrived safe and sound in New Zealand ahead of the Women’s World Cup.
Ellis and her troops have settled in New Zealand after the second group of players and staff landed in Wellington on Saturday morning.
The Banyana FIFA Women’s World Cup squad had to travel in two separate groups due to insufficient business class seats on the first flight from OR Tambo international airport.
The squad held their first official training session under unusual weather conditions on Sunday. The team is scheduled to play Costa Rica in a warm-up friendly match on Saturday, 15 July. This is ahead of their opening Women’s World Cup Group G match against Sweden on Sunday, 23 July.
DESIREE ELLIS HAPPY DESPITE UNUSUAL WEATHER CONDITIONS
“The session went very well; we had to move fields obviously because of the rain,” said head coach Desiree Ellis.
“It’s not something that we are used to back in South Africa but it’s something that we expected,” she said referring to the weather conditions.
“But I think it [the training session] went really well. We had to get into the field and really get a start up session. Everybody looked very enthusiastic which was really fantastic.
Ellis added: “We worked on trying to get as many touches on the ball as we could and with that, we were very happy.
“With Everybody back in training as well, in South Africa, we saw some players coming back from a layoff.”
BANYANA BANYANA HAVE SETTLED WELL IN WELLINGTON
“They are all enjoying the training as well. The jet leg as well I think slowly but surely it’s getting better,” said the 60-year-old.
“I think a lot of the players have really settled and gotten used to trying to stay awake as long as they can so that the sleeping patterns are not distributed, especially the first group that came. I think they are a little bit further than others. In the morning Everybody looks a bit fresher so that’s really good.”
The CAF WAFCON Champions also have Argentina and Italy in their Group.
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