Banyana Banyana's coach, Dr Desiree Ellis, will be inducted into the South African Hall of Fame this month.
The revered Women’s Africa Cup of Nations-winning coach, who led the Sasol-sponsored South African senior women’s national team to the continental title in 2022 in Morocco, will be inducted with several figures from South African football on Wednesday, 20 November 2024.
According to the South African Hall of Fame, Dr Ellis and her fellow inductees are “legends who have shaped the history of South African football and will be celebrated in a grand ceremony that recognises their unparalleled contributions both on and off the field.
The event will pay tribute to their accomplishments, from the victories that brought South Africa to the forefront of international soccer to their continuous influence on the sport and society.”
The inductees include legends such as former Bafana Bafana coach Ephraim “Shakes” Mashaba, erstwhile South African senior men’s national team captains Neil Tovey and Lucas Radebe, and the legendary Patrick “Ace” Ntsoelengoe, Jomo Sono and Nelson “Teenage” Dladla.
Dr Ellis said she was humbled by the honour and thanked SAFA, her players, her support staff, Sasol and numerous others who have contributed to her growth.
She said she was humbled by the induction and thanked SAFA and SASOL for their unwavering support, including her team players and staff.
Previous inductees include former South Africa President Nelson Mandela, legendary golfer Gary Player, the 1995 and 2007 Rugby World Cup-winning Springbok teams, Dr Kaizer Motaung, and most recently, dozens of Team South Africa Olympic Medallists.
Last year, Ellis was honoured with a gold Order of Ikjamanga, for those who have excelled in arts, culture, literate music, journalism and sport.
