Coach Desiree Ellis banks on the return of 3 key players ahead of Olympic qualifying game against Super Falcons

The head coach of the South African female national team, Desiree Ellis is banking on the return from injury of three players ahead of the 2024 Olympic qualifying game against Nigeria.

Ellis, who was speaking after naming her squad for the game, said that the return of the experienced trio of Bambanani Mbane, Refiloe Jane, and Sibulele Holweni to the squad is a timely boost ahead of the game against the Super Falcons.

She stated that her team, which has a few talented young players, will make do with the return of the three experienced players for the double-header game against their opponents.

Ellis noted that the young players in camp are coming through, and for the female national team, it is important to get that mix of youth and experience right.

“There is one thing that you can never buy, and that is experience,” she said, adding that the team also has a few talented young players,” Ellis said after naming her squad.

“Experience helps a lot when it adds value to the team. They have been there in tough situations, and when things were not OK, they stood up to be counted. We also have the enthusiasm of the youth, and we needed to get that mix right.

“We have young players like Karabo Dhlamini, Nthabiseng Majiya, Fikile Magama, Sinoxolo, and Noxolo Cesane, those players are coming through, and for us, it is important to get that mix of youth and experience right.

“You can have the experience, but you also need the youthful freshness of youth who are enthusiastic. You need that injection of freshness, but at the same time, the experience of Refiloe Jane, Mbane, and Holweni is important.”