Banyana Banyana head coach Desiree Ellis is pleased to see a lot of clubs improving with the progression of the National Women’s League.
Ellis watched Mamelodi Sundowns stamp their dominance over Durban Ladies and First Touch Academy record their first victory in the league in Seshego on Sunday, while keeping tabs on the other fixtures elsewhere via the internet.
Listen to clip below as Ellis shares her impressions on some of the performances:
Ellis is also pleased to see coaches trusting young players and the girls proving themselves on the field.
The former national senior team captain is also proud of young girls who have represented the country at junior level, Mamelodi Sundowns trio of Oratile Mokoena, Lelona Daweti and Karabo Dhlamini and Tshegofatso Makinta of First Touch showing professionalism in the league.
The matches did not proceed without some side-shows in Seshego. Among some of the challenges fourth official did not have the substitution board in both games, the lines on the pitch were drawn minutes before kick-off of the first encounter.
Start of the second fixture got delayed by ball boys changing their shirts as they were the same colour as one of the teams. Ellis says that is not her area to comment on however admits things need to improve.
Meanwhile, South African Football Association (SAFA) vice president Ria Ledwaba justified the incidents saying the province was only informed six days prior about their hosting of the fixtures.
Ledwaba is confident things will get better because long term provinces are going to be in charge of a lot of competitions.
Ledwaba adds that the association is pleased with what they are seeing on the field of play encouraging more national team coaches to use the league to broaden their selection pools. Ledwaba admits more still needs to be done to get supporters to stadiums. – Report by Lethabo Kganyago
