- Coach Desiree Ellis stayed behind as her Safa contract talks hit a deadlock, leaving Banyana to train in the DRC alone.
- The squad prepares for the DRC clash with late arrivals including Linda Motlhalo and overseas players joining only for the return leg.
Banyana Banyana are continuing their Wafcon 2026 qualifier camp in Kinshasa, but without their head coach, Desiree Ellis.
Ellis did not travel with the team to the Democratic Republic of the Congo as her contract negotiations with the SA Football Association (Safa) remain unresolved.
Her contract expired after the Olympic qualifiers in July, and she has been working on a month-to-month basis since then. Safa has approved a new four-year deal, but reports say Ellis is unhappy with the conditions.
That means she won’t be on the touchline when Banyana face the DRC at Pentecost Martyrs Stadium on Wednesday night.
Despite her absence, the team is pushing ahead with training. The camp includes tactical drills, fitness sessions and preparation for the travel challenges ahead of the return match at FNB Stadium next Tuesday.
Defender Bongeka Gamede has already joined the camp, while midfielder Linda Motlhalo is expected to arrive later today.
Four players based in Mexico, Thembi Kgatlana, Hilda Magaia, Sinoxolo Cesane and Amogelang Motau, will link up with the squad only for the home leg in Johannesburg.
Pictured above: Desiree Ellis.
Image source: @Banyana_Banyana
