Following Banyana Banyana’s debacle with the SA Football Association (Safa) over World Cup bonuses, legendary player Portia Modise has called on former teammate and current national team coach Desiree Ellis to take a stand.
On Sunday, Banyana players boycotted their World Cup send-off match against Botswana at the Tsakane Stadium – which saw Safa hastily assemble a team in the last minute.
The team of fringe players under the guidance of Ellis lost the match 5-0, an outcome that triggered Modise, who pleaded with the coach not to betray her players.
“It’s not even about the generation that plays today, it’s about the generations to come and they need to be in better conditions,” Modise said.
“So, I am saying to the current players, it’s all about teamwork. We have a CEO that is a woman [Lydia Monyepao], as well as the coach, so they must stand tall because it’s about time to stand tall and not hide, tell the truth so that the country can help.
“I never had a problem with Desiree but it’s time to stand up, don’t betray your players. Show your loyalty because they also showed you theirs and gave you trophies, it’s about time that you stand up.”
Fellow South Africans its time to show up for our @Banyana_Banyana ladies.
Let us all show them love and support as they preparing to represent our country in the Women's World Cup 2023. pic.twitter.com/o2iHF1RSiX
— Portia_Modise_Foundation (@PortiaModiseF) July 3, 2023
Ellis and the entire Banyana squad are set to jet off to Australia and New Zealand on Wednesday and Thursday, respectively ahead of the all-important Fifa Women’s World Cup later in July.
South Africa will play Costa Rica in a friendly match on July 15, before they kick off their Group G World Cup campaign against Sweden on July 23.
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