Following Banyana Banyana‘s failure to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, Portia Modise has called for the sacking of head coach Desiree Ellis.
Banyana Banyana’s dream of playing in the Olympics crashed after losing 1-0 on aggregate against Nigeria in the CAF Women’s Olympics qualifiers.
In the first leg, Nigeria defeated South Africa 1-0 in Abuja last Friday before playing to a goalless draw at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Wednesday night.
The 2022 WAFCON champions, Banyana, struggled to impose themselves against the Super Falcons, who were happy to sit back and soak the pressure.
Meanwhile, the loss against Nigeria meant that Banyana missed out on the second consecutive Olympics after failing to qualify for Tokyo 2020.
Although the Desiree Ellis-coached team won the 2022 WAFCON gold medal and made it to the round of 16 in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, Portia Modise says the team needs a new coach.
Modise has also claimed that the success of Banyana Banyana in the 2022 WAFCON was due to the structure built by former coach Vera Pauw.
PORTIA MODISE ACCUSES DESIREE ELLIS OF FAVOURITISM
Speaking to Andile Ncube on Metro FM, the Banyana legend Modise said, “This is the poorest Nigerian team I’ve ever seen since I’ve been in Women’s football.
“We need proper scouting to take place in the Hollywoodbets Super League; we have talent. They must be selected to play for the national team.
“Favouritism needs to stop in the national team, and players need to be selected deservedly, not because of favouritism.
“When I was watching the game yesterday, we needed people with skill and players that can think; there was none of that in the game against Nigeria.
“I think our coach has done well; she put us on the plan, but now we need someone with a second plan and a new vision.
“Without any disrespect, I think we need a coach who can move the team forward now. Desiree has done well, but we need to change now. Vera Pauw put in place the preparation and the structure to win WAFCON.”
RELATED STORY: Portia Modise on why Banyana Banyana are not on the right track
