Ellis hails Banyana’s big confidence boost after Morocco win

Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis expressed her satisfaction after her team secured a major confidence boost with a resounding 2-0 friendly victory over the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) hosts Morocco at the Stade D’Agadir on Tuesday evening.

Second-half goals from Nonhlanhla Mthandi and Noxolo Cesane ensured Ellis and her squad ended the year on a strong note, delivering a significant blow to one of the continent’s top sides. The result also served as an important statement ahead of the tournament, which will run from 17 March to 3 April 2026.

The match marked Ellis’ return to the bench after missing the two qualifiers against DR Congo due to delays in her contract extension. Her comeback was made more noteworthy as Banyana were without key players Thembi Kgatlana, Lebogang Ramalepe, and Hilda Magaia, further highlighting the significance of the win.

Banyana will be determined to improve on their underwhelming fourth-place finish in the previous WAFCON, also hosted in Morocco, a competition overshadowed by off-field issues involving the South African Football Association (Safa) and unpaid bonuses.

After a year filled with challenges, Ellis will be relieved to close 2025 on a high.

“It was a big confidence booster,” Ellis said after her side’s win.

“We did say that coming to Morocco, the host country, a few months away from WAFCON, it was going to be a big game, and it was a big game, and I really have to take my hat off because the players really stood out today.”

Ellis praised her team’s ability to follow their tactical blueprint, and although she acknowledged that improvement is still needed, she was pleased with the control they maintained throughout the match.

“There were a few things we worked on in training, and it’s a process but I thought it was a great performance even though at times we couldn’t move the ball around like we would have wanted to move it around.

“However, we were in control, and we could change the point of attack and attack down the flanks and bring it back in. When the chances came in, we took them very well, and on top of that, we also had a clean sheet.

“I thought defensively we were very good on the night, and we didn’t give them anything; it was a good performance by a group of players that put in a lot of work this week.”

With limited time remaining before the WAFCON kicks off, the victory gives Ellis and her squad valuable momentum heading into the competition.

The tournament will not only present them with an opportunity to chase a second continental title but will also carry added importance, as World Cup qualification will be on the line. 

The four semi-finalists will automatically qualify for the global event, set to be hosted in Brazil, and the challenge will be tougher with the tournament expanded from 12 to 16 teams.

“We did say that we want to end the year on a good note,” Ellis continued.

“Having qualified for WAFCON and now getting this big win against the hosts, its good momentum for us because we are going into the off season and we are going with a lot of confidence and we know what to expect when coming back.

“This loss will make sure that they (Morrocco) also step up, and with the WAFCON increased to 16 countries, it will be a tough competition and it’s a World Cup qualifying competition and we have to be better than we were on Tuesday but it was a good performance that gave us a good result.”