Desiree Ellis: The Incredible Story of How South Africa Women's Coach Turned Tragedy to Triumph

• Desiree Ellis made history on Saturday by becoming the first coach to lead South Africa to WAFCON success
• The former Bayana Bayana star, before winning WAFCON had lost it as a player and a coach, most recently in 2018
• The African female coach of the year turned her past failure into success at the 2022 Women's Africa Cup of Nations

Six years after taking over as coach of Bayana Bayana of South Africa, Desiree Ellis is now a WAFCON champion.

The route to success did not come easy for the former Bayana Bayana captain, but her name will now be forever etched in the history of South African women's football.

Ellis, on Saturday, led South Africa to their first-ever Women's Africa Cup of Nations triumph after beating hosts Morocco in the final.

Liberia's national football team: players, coach, world rankings, nickname

Football

A brace from Hildah Magaia ensured Bayana Bayana end an impressive tournament in style by winning the competition in Rabat.

Desiree Ellis took six years to build a formidable team that will stop Nigeria, who had won the competition nine times.

The South African team, led by the 59-year-old started to believe it was possible after beating Nigeria to win the Aisha Buhari tournament last year. The team won 4-2, making Bayana Bayana, the first African team to put four goals past the Super Falcons.

Previous disappointments

South Africa had always come close, but always fell short. The Bayana Bayana lost four finals prior Saturday's clash with Morocco. Desiree Ellis was part of the team that lost painfully to Nigeria in the Women's Cup of Nations final in 2000.

Fascinating facts about the top 10 best Chelsea legends of all time

Football

She suffered a similar fate again after her team reached the final of WAFCON 18 years later in Ghana, losing to the Super Falcons again; this time she was the coach.

Finally, success comes

After several disappointments in the past, Ellis had learnt and experienced a lot in the game. Two years after taking charge of the team, the Spurs Ladies legend will dominate the COSAFA Cup with Bayana Bayana, winning it from 2018 to 2020. It is a championship she is familiar with, having won it as a player.

South Africa's confidence started building up when they held their fourth against Nigeria four years ago in Ghana, only to lose on penalties. It became clearer that Ellis is up to something with the team when they defeated Nigeria to win the Aisha Buhari Cup.

And when the right time came, Ellis won't be denied this time. Her team stood against 60,000 Moroccan fans to defeat the Atlas Lionesses and win the tournament for the first time.

Maradona to Mertens: List of top 10 Napoli legends of all time ranked

Football

WAFCON champions South Africa arrive home to a rapturous welcome

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that African champions Banyana Banyana were welcomed home to OR Tambo International Airport by a joyously proud crowd of South Africans this morning.

South Africa defeated Morocco 2-1 in the final of the 2022 Women's Africa Cup in Rabat last Saturday, ensuring a maiden senior continental title for the club.

In terms of international football tournaments, it was just the second time a national team had won a competition, with Bafana Bafana having done so in 1996. Read more: