“It is not about me. If you give the players room to shine, the coach shines too.”
These were the sentiments of coach of the year Desiree Ellis at a hero’s welcome hosted by the South African Football Association (SAFA) Cape Town and the City of Cape Town on Thursday 4 August at Athlone Stadium, the home of local football.
Having just touched down on home soil following their win at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium on Saturday 23 July, the Cape Town-based players and staff were celebrated for bringing home the maiden Women’s Africa Cup of Nation (WAFCON) title.
“Where better to welcome them back than the home of football,” says SAFA Cape Town president, Bennett Bailey.
He shares that they have done a lot to promote the future of women’s football and adds that the organisation has now also taken a stance to promote women’s football locally.
“This victory is not about what has happened, this victory is about what must still happen. It is about the future and breaking down the artificial barriers that exist in society,” he says.
Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis says the players have not had easy lives and commends them for their drive, passion and dedication to achieve.
Speaking to the crowd on Thursday, Hill-Lewis urged those present to embrace the team as an example to never give up on their own dreams.
Provincial minister for Sport and Cultural Affairs Anaroux Marais also congratulated the players on their achievements on the day.
Ellis, who attributes her success to the support of her family, echoes these words of encouragement to young supporters.
“To the little girl out there, you can be whatever you want to be and to the parents out there, allow them to be that. Don’t ever curb them. When I was growing up, people would say I want to be a boy, but all I wanted to do was play football. I had people who supported me and through that I could achieve what I did,” she says.
“Just remember, I come from Hanover Park and there are so many others from Hanover Park. It is a place, it is not who you are, so don’t use that to not achieve what you want to. God gives each of us a talent, but what you do with that talent is your gift back to God.”
The players were also presented with a unique medallion produced locally by Cape Mint. The one-of-a-kind piece was created in silver to commemorate their win and the pride they have brought the nation.
With Queen’s “We are the champions” ringing through the stadium, Hill-Lewis and Bailey carried the cup up to the stage to once again celebrate the achievement, complete with confetti canons and pyrotechnics.
