Banyana Banyana head coach Desiree Ellis will be among the recipients of this year’s National Order of Ikhamanga at a ceremony hosted by President Cyril Ramaphosa just after Freedom Day.
The National Orders are the highest awards in the land and the one Ellis is going to receive, recognises citizens who have excelled in the fields of Arts, Culture, Literature, Music, Journalism and Sport.
The former Banyana captain led the national senior women’s team to their maiden Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title in Morocco last year.
The feat also meant Banyana qualified for the 2023 FIFA women’s World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand.
The 60-year-old is a multi-award winning coach currently the reigning CAF Women’s Coach of the Year and she told SAFA.net that she was emotional about the award as she ranks it in the heights of a knighthood.
“I am super blessed but at the same time very emotional. Football is a team sport and this award is not about me but everyone who contributed to the success of Banyana Banyana, from the players, the technical staff as well as the back room staff,” said Ellis.
“This could not have been possible without the solid support from the Association [SAFA], especially the President and his team. I am so happy because this is huge, getting this national honour is like getting knighthood.”
