Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis bracing for physical Angola test
21st February 2026
By
Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis says that they are expecting a fast-paced and physical encounter against Angola in their second Group Stage match of the COSAFA Women’s Championship this afternoon.
South Africa began their campaign with a convincing 2-0 victory over Malawi, courtesy of goals from strikers Sibulele Holweni and Bonolo Mokoma.
Speaking to SABC Sport, Ellis said the technical team has done thorough analysis on Angola and have put measures in place to maintain their winning momentum.
“We have looked at them. They are a very physical side and have good pace upfront, and we have worked on how to stop them. We also want to improve going forward and make sure that this time around we create more chances,” said Ellis.
The 62-year-old mentor emphasised the need for improvement in several key areas to secure a second successive win.
“It’s not just one isolated thing, to be honest. We need to build from the back but also move forward with purpose and create chances. This team is strong defensively, so we need to be on the front foot and find ways to break them down. We saw what they did in their previous match,” added Ellis.
Ellis also highlighted the importance of the COSAFA Women’s Championship in the team’s broader plans, particularly as they build towards the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
“We usually use the COSAFA Cup to assess players. We have called these players up and now we need to give them opportunities. Some featured in friendly matches, but this tournament is more competitive. Some played for the first time against Malawi, and we are always looking at refreshing the squad and getting the combinations right,” she expressed.
