Following Banyana Banyana’s exit from a memorable 2023 Fifa Women’s World Cup, coach Desiree Ellis promises that her side will bounce back a lot better and stronger.
Banyana captured the hearts of many for their fighting spirit and defying the odds as the lowest-ranked team in a group that had Sweden, Italy, and Argentina.
The South Africans made history by recording their first ever World Cup win and put a cherry on top by qualifying for knockout stages, also the first time in just their second appearance in the World Cup.
They bowed out of the tournament after losing 2-0 to a clinical Netherlands side in the round of 16 on Sunday morning.
“We want to be remembered as a team that lit up the World Cup, as so-called underdogs, an underdogs team that plays good football but can also mix it up with the best out there,” Ellis said.
“We also want to be remembered for our singing, because that’s who we are and that’s what unites us and keeps us together.
“When we walked around the stadium after the match [against the Netherlands], we could see how people appreciated what we brought to the tournament. I believe we will be back in four years’ time bigger and better.”
Ellis also praised and defended under-fire goalkeeper Kaylin Swart for her mistake that gifted the Netherlands their second goal.
“I think Kaylin had a fantastic game up until that moment [the Netherlands’ second goal], and I hope people remember her for how well she played and not for that one incident.
“In the end, the legs were just not there anymore for us to keep pushing for the duration of the game.
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