Desiree Ellis to explore players diversity in upcoming Three-Nation series

Banyana have assembled for camp ahead of their opening fixture against Botswana, which will be followed by the Zambia fixture next Tuesday, with both matches taking place at the Lucas Moripe Stadium.

Speaking to SABC Sport, Ellis says it is not always about results in friendly matches but about progress in performance.

"We want to keep our options open and make sure that we select the best possible squad with a lot of versatility for every eventuality because in 2016, we played different. 2018 we played different, 2022 we came differently and if you watched our games against Malawi, we played differently as well, changed the system,” Ellis said.

“As much as we analyse teams, they analyse us as well, so we have to make sure that we have different options, different plans. I know friendlies, people want results but friendlies are also about giving other players an opportunity and sometimes you don't get the result but we're looking for performances, of course, because a performance will give you a result."

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Ellis explains that the doors are still not closed for them to assess more players, stating that there’s time remaining before she selects her final squad to defend the WAFCON title.

"When we say the door is never closed, we mean the door is never closed and players that are here it doesn't necessarily mean that they have their foot in. Players that were here the last time doesn't necessarily mean that because we want to make sure that we give ourselves as much options for the versatility that we're looking for."