Banyana Banyana Coach Desiree Ellis Pays Heartfelt Tribute to Her Mother on Her Birthday

Banyana Banyana head coach Desiree Ellis paid a heartfelt tribute to her mother as she celebrated her birthday this weekend.

The South African tactician led Banyana Banyana to a fourth-place finish at the just-concluded 2024 Women's Africa Cup of Nations after going into the competition as the defending champions.

There have been talks about her future as Banyana's head coach after the disappointing showing at the WAFCON, but she's put all that pressure behind her to celebrate her mother.

Ellis pays emotional tribute to mother

Ellis was speaking at the Momentum’s 3rd annual Women Who Make Moves in Sports Summit, and she took time to celebrate her mother and explained why she would be travelling home to Cape Town for her.

"My mother’s birthday is on the 10th, so right after the Momentum event on Saturday, I’ll be flying straight to Cape Town to celebrate with her," Desiree Ellis told journalists.

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"That’s how I celebrate Women’s Day, surrounded by family. My brothers, sisters, cousins, and whoever else is invited will all be there. It’s a special way for us to mark the day together."

When asked how her mother feels about her career achievements, Ellis became visibly emotional, reflecting on the deep support she’s received from her family throughout her journey.

"My dad used to be my biggest supporter, and also my biggest critic. When he passed, my mom stepped into that role. She’s now my biggest prayer warrior. When we’re playing, she literally puts her hand on the TV and prays," she added.

"The support from my family means so much to me, especially because I live in Johannesburg and they’re in Cape Town. We stay connected through video calls – it’s a blessing. I even have a sister in Australia, and the other night we were all chatting together.

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"Family keeps you grounded. They support you unconditionally and give you a safe space. That’s why I make sure to stay in regular contact, especially with my mom," she concluded.

Source: Briefly News