Having closely monitored players throughout the Hollywoodbets Super League Amplified, Ellis believes the competition has played a crucial role in ensuring the national team remains competitive, while also giving the country’s brightest young talents the opportunity to stake their claim for future international honours.
With South Africa chasing back-to-back WAFCON titles, Ellis says the regular domestic competition has significantly raised the standard of women’s football.
“Football is now improving because they know that they have to play every week,” Ellis said.
“Sometimes there are even unpredictable results, players are stepping up, and that’s exactly what you want to see. I am very excited about the young players coming through. They are showing good technical ability, good intelligence, and that’s good for the future of South African football.”
The Banyana mentor believes the current blend of experienced internationals and emerging youngsters has created healthy competition for places, giving South Africa greater depth as they head into one of the continent’s biggest tournaments.
Experienced campaigners continue to lead from the front, while several rising stars have used their performances in the domestic league to catch the attention of the national team coaching staff.
“There are now also a lot of experienced players who are showing up in the league. You can see that the players who are part of the national team are a little bit of a step above some of the others,” Ellis explained.
“Having said that, the young players are the ones that excite me. Seeing 14 and 15-year-olds competing against experienced players is exactly what South African football needs because it prepares the next generation for the international stage.”
As preparations intensify ahead of the tournament, every match remains an opportunity for players to impress, with Ellis continuing to emphasise the importance of consistency as Banyana not only target another continental title but also begin building towards the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
South Africa will head into the tournament as defending champions after making history by lifting the trophy in 2022, and Ellis will once again look to guide her side through another challenging campaign against Africa’s best.
Banyana Banyana have been drawn in Group B and will begin their title defence against Tanzania on Monday, 27 July, before facing Côte d’Ivoire on 31 July. Their final group-stage encounter will be against Burkina Faso on 4 August, with all three fixtures taking place at the Moulay Rachid Stadium in Casablanca.
While the focus remains firmly on defending their continental crown, Ellis believes South Africa’s long-term success will depend on continuing to develop the next generation of talent.
With confidence growing within the squad and healthy competition for places, Banyana Banyana will head to Morocco determined to retain their African title and once again showcase the strength of South African women’s football on the biggest stage.